Information processing device and information processing method

ABSTRACT

There is provided an information processing device including a processing unit that authenticates a communication target device on a basis of predetermined information transmitted from the communication target device by broadcast in communication in a first communication scheme, the predetermined information being used in a process to be performed in communication in a second communication scheme that is different from the first communication scheme, and establishes the communication with the communication target device in the first communication scheme in a case in which authentication is completed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Phase of International PatentApplication No. PCT/JP2016/077005 filed on Sep. 13, 2016, which claimspriority benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. JP 2015-210981 filedin the Japan Patent Office on Oct. 27, 2015. Each of theabove-referenced applications is hereby incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, aninformation processing method, and a program.

BACKGROUND ART

Technologies for performing communication by switching two differentcommunication schemes have been developed. As a “technology in which,after transmission of data to another device is started using a firstcommunication scheme that is proximity wireless communication notrequiring authentication, data is transmitted by switching to a secondcommunication scheme that has a longer communicable distance than theproximity wireless communication,” for example, the technology describedin Patent Literature 1 mentioned below is exemplified.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: JP 2012-80289A

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

In a case in which an existing technology for performing communicationby switching between different communication schemes, for example, suchas the technology described in Patent Literature 1, is being used anddevices are performing proximity wireless communication, thecommunication between the devices is switched to another communicationscheme that has a longer communicable distance than the proximitywireless communication. However, if communication is not performed usingthe proximity wireless communication in a case in which the existingtechnology as described above is being used, a communication scheme isnot switched to another communication scheme that has a longercommunicable distance than the proximity wireless communication.

The present disclosure proposes a novel and improved informationprocessing device, information processing method, and program thatenable a communication target device to be authenticated using acombination of different communication schemes and enable communicationwith the communication target device in one communication scheme to beestablished.

Solution to Problem

According to the present disclosure, there is provided an informationprocessing device including: a processing unit configured toauthenticate a communication target device on a basis of predeterminedinformation transmitted from the communication target device bybroadcast in communication in a first communication scheme, thepredetermined information being used in a process to be performed incommunication in a second communication scheme that is different fromthe first communication scheme, and establish the communication with thecommunication target device in the first communication scheme in a casein which authentication is completed.

In addition, according to the present disclosure, there is provided aninformation processing method executed by an information processingdevice, the information processing method including: a step ofauthenticating a communication target device on a basis of predeterminedinformation transmitted from the communication target device bybroadcast in communication in a first communication scheme, thepredetermined information being used in a process to be performed incommunication in a second communication scheme that is different fromthe first communication scheme, and establishing the communication withthe communication target device in the first communication scheme in acase in which authentication is completed.

In addition, according to the present disclosure, there is provided aprogram for causing a computer to realize a function of authenticating acommunication target device on a basis of predetermined informationtransmitted from the communication target device by broadcast incommunication in a first communication scheme, the predeterminedinformation being used in a process to be performed in communication ina second communication scheme that is different from the firstcommunication scheme, and establishing the communication with thecommunication target device in the first communication scheme in a casein which authentication is completed.

In addition, according to the present disclosure, there is provided aninformation processing device including: a processing unit configured todetermine a state of communication with a communication target devicewhen communication with the communication target device is establishedand not to perform a process based on a request transmitted from thecommunication target device on a basis of a determination result.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present disclosure, a communication target device canbe authenticated using a combination of different communication schemesand communication with the communication target device in onecommunication scheme can be established.

Note that the effects described above are not necessarily limitative.With or in the place of the above effects, there may be achieved any oneof the effects described in this specification or other effects that maybe grasped from this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for describing an informationprocessing method according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are explanatory diagrams for describing an informationprocessing method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration ofan information processing device according to the embodiment that canperform a process relating to the information processing methodaccording to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a hardwareconfiguration of the information processing device according to theembodiment that can perform the process relating to the informationprocessing method according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration ofan information processing device according to the embodiment that canperform a process relating to another information processing methodaccording to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a hardwareconfiguration of the information processing device according to theembodiment that can perform a process relating to the other informationprocessing method according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of aconfiguration of an IC chip and an antenna illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D are explanatory diagrams illustrating examplesof use cases to which the information processing method according to theembodiment and another information processing method according to theembodiment can be applied.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a processrelating to a first use case to which the information processing methodaccording to the embodiment can be applied.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of anotherprocess relating to the first use case to which the informationprocessing method according to the embodiment can be applied.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for describing an example of a processrelating to the first use case to which the information processingmethod according to the embodiment can be applied.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a processrelating to a second use case to which the information processing methodaccording to the embodiment can be applied.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for describing an example of a processrelating to the second use case to which the information processingmethod according to the embodiment can be applied.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a processrelating to a third use case to which the information processing methodaccording to the embodiment can be applied.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a processrelating to a fourth use case to which the other information processingmethod according to the embodiment can be applied.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, (a) preferred embodiment(s) of the present disclosure willbe described in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Notethat, in this specification and the appended drawings, structuralelements that have substantially the same function and structure aredenoted with the same reference numerals, and repeated explanation ofthese structural elements is omitted.

In addition, description will be provided below in the following order.

1. Information processing system according to present embodiment andinformation processing method according to present embodiment

2. Program according to present embodiment

Information Processing System According to Present Embodiment andInformation Processing Method According to Present Embodiment

An overview of an information processing system according to the presentembodiment will be described and an information processing methodaccording to the present embodiment will be described below. Inaddition, description will be provided on the assumption that aninformation processing device according to the present embodimentperforms a process relating to the information processing methodaccording to the present embodiment.

[1] Overview of Information Processing System According to PresentEmbodiment

There are devices with a function of performing communication using eachof a plurality of different communication schemes. Devices with afunction of performing communication using each of at least twodifferent communication schemes, which are a first communication schemeand a second communication scheme that is different from the firstcommunication scheme, will be exemplified below.

As communication in a first communication scheme according to thepresent embodiment, wireless communication, for example, such aswireless communication using IEEE 802.15.1 like Bluetooth Low Energy(BLE), or wireless communication using IEEE 802.11 is exemplified.

In addition, as communication in a second communication scheme accordingto the present embodiment, wireless communication, for example, such asnear field communication (NFC) such as Type-A, Type-B, or Type-F, orinfrared communication is exemplified. Note that communication in asecond communication scheme according to the present embodiment may bewired communication using, for example, communication performed via acommunication interface based on a local area network (LAN), a UniversalSerial Bus (USB), the ISO 7816 standard, or the like.

A case in which communication in the first communication schemeaccording to the present embodiment is BLE and communication in thesecond communication scheme according to the present embodiment is NFCwill be exemplified below.

In the case in which communication in the first communication schemeaccording to the present embodiment is BLE and communication in thesecond communication scheme according to the present embodiment is NFC,the communication in the second communication scheme has a shortercommunicable distance than the communication in the first communicationscheme. That is, the case in which communication in the secondcommunication scheme has a shorter communicable distance thancommunication in the first communication scheme will be described below.In addition, in a case in which communication in the first communicationscheme according to the present embodiment is wireless communicationusing IEEE 802.15.1 such as BLE, the communication in the firstcommunication scheme can be communication that can be performed with lowpower consumption.

Note that it is needless to say that a combination of communication inthe first communication scheme and communication in the secondcommunication scheme according to the present embodiment is not limitedto BLE and NFC.

In a case in which communication in the first communication scheme isBLE, devices that perform communication in the first communicationscheme are classified into, for example, a device on a side oftransmitting various information by broadcast (which can be referred toas “Peripheral” below) and a device on a side of sensing Peripheral onthe basis of information transmitted by broadcast (which can be referredto as “Central” below).

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for describing the informationprocessing method according to the present embodiment, showing anexample of an information processing system 1000 to which theinformation processing method according to the present embodiment isapplied.

The information processing system 1000 has an information processingdevice 100, an information processing device 200, and a server 300.

The information processing device 100 and the information processingdevice 200 have functions of performing communication using, forexample, the first communication scheme and second communication scheme,respectively.

The information processing device 100 is a device that performs aprocess relating to the information processing method according to thepresent embodiment. The information processing device 100 plays a roleof Central in communication in the first communication scheme.

In addition, the information processing device 200 is another devicethat serves as a communication target of the information processingdevice 100 in communication in the first communication scheme. Theinformation processing device 200 plays a role of Peripheral in thecommunication in the first communication scheme.

There are cases in which another device that serves as a communicationtarget of one device in communication in the first communication schemeis referred to as a “communication target device” below.

In addition, the information processing device 100 and the server 300are connected via, for example, a network 400. As the network 400, forexample, a wired network such as a local area network (LAN) or a widearea network (WAN), a wireless network such as a wireless local areanetwork (WLAN), the Internet using a communication protocol such asTransmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), or the like isexemplified. Note that, in the information processing system accordingto the present embodiment, the information processing device 100 and theserver 300 can also directly communicate with each other without thenetwork 400.

The information processing device 100 acquires information to be used ina process relating to the information processing according to thepresent embodiment (e.g., information to be used in authentication in acommunication establishment process which will be described below) byperforming communication with the server 300.

Note that a configuration of the information processing system accordingto the present embodiment is not limited to the example illustrated inFIG. 1.

The information processing system according to the present embodimentmay not have, for example, the server 300.

In addition, the information processing system according to the presentembodiment may have, for example, either or both of a plurality ofinformation processing devices 100 playing the role of Central and aplurality of information processing devices 200 playing the role ofPeripheral.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are explanatory diagrams for describing the informationprocessing method according to the present embodiment, showing anoverview of communication performed using BLE (an example of the firstcommunication scheme) between the information processing device 100(Central) and the information processing device 200 (Peripheral). “R”shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B represents an example of a communicable rangeof the information processing device 100 in which communication can beperformed using the first communication scheme.

The information processing device 200 periodically or non-periodicallytransmits information, for example, such as an “advertising packet,”which will be described below, by broadcast.

For example, when the information processing device 200 enters thecommunicable range R of the information processing device 100 when auser of the information processing device 200 moves or the like, theinformation processing device 100 receives information transmitted bybroadcast from the information processing device 200 in communication inthe first communication scheme (S1 of FIGS. 2A and 2B). By receiving theinformation transmitted by broadcast from the information processingdevice 200, the information processing device 100 detects theinformation processing device 200 as a device that can be acommunication target of the communication in the first communicationscheme.

Then, a process for establishing communication in the firstcommunication scheme such as pairing is performed between theinformation processing device 100 and the information processing device200 via a communication path for the first communication scheme (S2 ofFIGS. 2A and 2B). Then, in a case in which the process for establishingthe communication in the first communication scheme is completednormally (e.g., in a case in which pairing is performed normally),communication between the information processing device 100 and theinformation processing device 200 in the first communication scheme isestablished.

Note that, even in a case in which the information processing systemaccording to the present embodiment has either or both of a plurality ofinformation processing devices 100 and a plurality of informationprocessing devices 200, communication in the first communication schemeis established between each of the information processing devices 100and the information processing devices 200 similarly to the overviewillustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

[2] Information Processing Method According to Present Embodiment

Next, a process relating to the information processing method accordingto the present embodiment will be described. A case in which theinformation processing device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 performs theprocess relating to the information processing method according to thepresent embodiment will be exemplified below. In addition, a case inwhich the information processing device 200 illustrated in FIG. 1performs a process relating to another information processing methodaccording to the present embodiment will be exemplified below.

In addition, an example of a configuration of the information processingdevice 100 constituting the information processing system 1000illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described and the process relating to theinformation processing method according to the present embodiment willbe described below.

Furthermore, an example of a configuration of the information processingdevice 200 constituting the information processing system 1000illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described and the process relating to theother information processing method according to the present embodimentperformed by the information processing device 200 will be describedbelow.

[2-1] Information Processing Device 100

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration ofthe information processing device 100 according to the presentembodiment that can perform the process relating to the informationprocessing method according to the present embodiment. In the case inwhich communication in the first communication scheme is BLE or thelike, for example, the information processing device 100 plays the roleof Central in the communication in the first communication scheme.

The information processing device 100 includes, for example, a firstcommunication unit 102, a second communication unit 104, and a controlunit 106.

In addition, the information processing device 100 may also include, forexample, a read only memory (ROM, which is not illustrated), a randomaccess memory (RAM, which is not illustrated), a storage unit (which isnot illustrated), an operation unit (which is not illustrated) operableby a user, a display unit (which is not illustrated) that displaysvarious screens on a display screen, and the like. The informationprocessing device 100 has the above-described constituent elementsconnected to each other by, for example, a bus serving as a datatransmission path.

The ROM (which is not illustrated) stores control data such as aprogram, arithmetic parameters, and the like to be used by the controlunit 106. The RAM (which is not illustrated) temporarily stores aprogram and the like to be executed by the control unit 106.

A storage unit (which is not illustrated) is a storage section providedin the information processing device 100, and stores various kinds ofdata, for example, data relating to the information processing methodaccording to the present embodiment such as identification informationor service type information, which will be described below, variousapplications, and the like. Here, as the storage unit (which is notillustrated), for example, a magnetic recording medium such as a harddisk, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, and the like areexemplified. In addition, the storage unit (which is not illustrated)may be detachable from the information processing device 100.

As the operation unit (which is not illustrated), an operation inputdevice which will be described below is exemplified. In addition, as thedisplay unit (which is not illustrated), a display device which will bedescribed below is exemplified.

Example of Hardware Configuration of Information Processing Device 100

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a hardwareconfiguration of the information processing device 100 according to thepresent embodiment that can perform the process relating to theinformation processing method according to the present embodiment. FIG.4 shows the example of the hardware configuration of the informationprocessing device 100 in a case in which communication in the secondcommunication scheme is NFC.

The information processing device 100 includes, for example, an MPU 150,a ROM 152, a RAM 154, a recording medium 156, an input/output interface158, an operation input device 160, a display device 162, acommunication interface 164, a carrier transmission circuit 166, and anantenna 168. In addition, the information processing device 100 has, forexample, a bus 170 connecting the constituent elements to one another asa data transmission path.

The MPU 150 includes, for example, one or two or more processors,various processing circuits, and the like including arithmetic circuitssuch as micro-processing units (MPUs), and functions as the control unit106 which controls the entire information processing device 100. Inaddition, the MPU 150 plays a role of, for example, a processing unit110, which will be described below, in the information processing device100.

The ROM 152 stores control data, and the like such as programs andarithmetic parameters to be used by the MPU 150. The RAM 154 temporarilystores, for example, a program to be executed by the MPU 150, and thelike.

The recording medium 156 functions as the storage unit (which is notillustrated), and stores various kinds of data, for example, datarelating to the information processing method according to the presentembodiment such as identification information and service typeinformation, which will be described below, various applications, andthe like. Here, as the recording medium 156, for example, a magneticrecording medium such as a hard disk, a non-volatile memory such as aflash memory, and the like are exemplified. In addition, the recordingmedium 156 may be detachable from the information processing device 100.

The input/output interface 158 connects, for example, the operationinput device 160 and the display device 162. The operation input device160 functions as an operation unit (which is not illustrated), and thedisplay device 162 functions as a display unit (which is notillustrated). Here, as the input/output interface 158, for example, aUniversal Serial Bus (USB) terminal, a digital visual interface (DVI)terminal, a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) (registeredtrademark) terminal, various processing circuits, and the like areexemplified.

In addition, the operation input device 160 is provided, for example, onthe information processing device 100 and connected to the input/outputinterface 158 inside the information processing device 100. As theoperation input device 160, for example, buttons, arrow keys, arotation-type selector such as a jog dial, a combination thereof, or thelike are exemplified.

Furthermore, the display device 162 is provided on, for example, theinformation processing device 100, and connected to the input/outputinterface 158 inside the information processing device 100. As thedisplay device 162, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organicelectro-luminescence (EL) display (also called an organic light emittingdiode (OLED) display), or the like is exemplified.

Note that it is needless to say that the input/output interface 158 canalso be connected to an external operation input device (e.g., akeyboard, a mouse, or the like) or an external display device serving asexternal devices of the information processing device 100. In addition,the display device 162 may be a device, for example, such as a touchscreen capable of display and user operations.

The communication interface 164 is a communication section provided inthe information processing device 100 for performing communication inthe first communication scheme, and functions as the first communicationunit 102. Here, as the communication interface 164, for example, an IEEE802.15.1 port and a transmission/reception circuit, an IEEE 802.11 portand a transmission/reception circuit, or the like is exemplified.

The carrier transmission circuit 166 and the antenna 168 are acommunication section provided in the information processing device 100for performing communication in the second communication scheme, andfunction as the second communication unit 104. The carrier transmissioncircuit 166 and the antenna 168 function as a reader/writer in NFC.

The antenna 168 is constituted by, for example, a resonance circuitincluding a coil having a predetermined inductance as atransmission/reception antenna and a capacitor having a predeterminedelectrostatic capacity and a demodulation circuit. In addition, theantenna 168 demodulates data or the like transmitted from an externaldevice such as the information processing device 200 through loadmodulation or the like by receiving a carrier having a predeterminedfrequency of, for example, 13.56 [MHz]. Note that, in a case in whichthe carrier transmission circuit 166 includes a demodulation circuit,the antenna 168 may be constituted by a resonance circuit.

The carrier transmission circuit 166 includes, for example, a modulationcircuit which performs modulation such as Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK)and an amplification circuit which amplifies output of the modulationcircuit, and transmits a carrier on which a carrier signal is placedfrom the transmission/reception antenna of the antenna 168. In addition,the carrier transmission circuit 166 may include, for example, ademodulation circuit that demodulates a signal received using theantenna 168. The demodulation circuit demodulates the signal received bythe antenna 168 by, for example, performing envelope detection for anamplitude change of a voltage between a modulation circuit (or anamplification circuit) and a resonance circuit of the antenna 168 andbinarizing the detected signal. Note that the demodulation circuit canalso demodulate the signal received by the antenna 168 using, forexample, a phase change of a voltage between the modulation circuit (orthe amplification circuit) and the resonance circuit of the antenna 168.

By including the carrier transmission circuit 166, the informationprocessing device 100 can have an initiator function in performing NFCand plays a role of a so-called reader/writer. Here, as a carrier signaltransmitted by the carrier transmission circuit 166 from the antenna168, for example, a polling signal, a signal indicating any of variouskinds of data, or the like is exemplified. In addition, the transmissionof the carrier of the carrier transmission circuit is controlled by, forexample, the MPU 150.

The information processing device 100 performs a process relating to theinformation processing method according to the present embodiment using,for example, the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4. Note that ahardware configuration of the information processing device 100according to the present embodiment is not limited to the configurationillustrated in FIG. 4.

The information processing device 100 may not include the communicationinterface 164 in a case in which, for example, communication in thefirst communication scheme is performed with an external device via aconnected external communication device that can perform communicationin the first communication scheme.

In addition, in a case in which the information processing device 100does not function as a reader/writer in NFC, the information processingdevice 100 may include an IC chip 266 and an antenna 268, which will bedescribed below, instead of the carrier transmission circuit 166 and theantenna 168 illustrated in FIG. 4. The information processing device 100can also employ the configuration in which the IC chip 266 and anantenna 268, which will be described below, are further included.

In addition, in a case in which communication in the secondcommunication scheme is not NFC, the information processing device 100may not include the carrier transmission circuit 166 and the antenna168. Furthermore, in the case in which communication in the secondcommunication scheme is not NFC, the information processing device 100may further include a communication device that supports communicationin the second communication scheme, such as an infrared communicationdevice.

In addition, information processing device 100 may not include acommunication device that supports communication in the secondcommunication scheme, such as the carrier transmission circuit 166 andthe antenna 168, in a case in which communication in the secondcommunication scheme is performed with an external device via aconnected external communication device that can perform communicationin the second communication scheme.

Furthermore, the information processing device 100 may further includeanother communication device, for example, a LAN terminal and atransmission/reception circuit, a communication antenna such as anantenna for LTE/3G and a radio frequency (RF) circuit, or the like. Theinformation processing device 100 can perform communication with anexternal device such as the server 300 via the above-described connectedother communication device or the above-described other connectedexternal communication device.

In addition, the information processing device 100 may also employ aconfiguration in which, for example, one or two or more of the recordingmedium 156, the operation input device 160, and the display device 162are not included.

Furthermore, the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4 (or a configurationaccording to a modified example), for example, may be realized with oneor two or more integrate circuits (ICs).

The example of the configuration of the information processing device100 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 again.

The first communication unit 102 performs communication with an externaldevice through communication in the first communication scheme. Thecommunication of the first communication unit 102 in the firstcommunication scheme is controlled by, for example, a control unit 106(more specifically, for example, the processing unit 110).

Here, as the first communication unit 102, for example, an IEEE 802.15.1port and a transmission/reception circuit, an IEEE 802.11 port and atransmission/reception circuit, or the like is exemplified.

The second communication unit 104 performs communication with anexternal device through communication in the second communicationscheme. The communication of the second communication unit 104 in thesecond communication scheme is controlled by, for example, the controlunit 106 (more specifically, for example, the processing unit 110).

Here, as the second communication unit 104, for example, a communicationdevice that supports NFC such as the carrier transmission circuit 166and the antenna 168 illustrated in FIG. 4, an infrared communicationdevice, or the like is exemplified.

The control unit 106 is constituted by, for example, an MPU and thelike, and plays a role of controlling the information processing device100 overall. In addition, the control unit 106 includes, for example,the processing unit 110 and plays a leading role of performing theprocess relating to the information processing method according to thepresent embodiment.

The processing unit 110 plays a leading role of performing the processrelating to the information processing method according to the presentembodiment. The processing unit 110 performs a communicationestablishment process introduced in (1) described below, for example, asthe process relating to the information processing method according tothe present embodiment.

(1) Communication Establishment Process

The processing unit 110 authenticates a communication target device byperforming a process using information to be used in a process to beperformed in communication in the second communication scheme, using acommunication path of communication in the first communication scheme,and thereby establishes communication with the communication targetdevice in the first communication scheme.

Here, “performing a process using information to be used in a process tobe performed in communication in the second communication scheme, usinga communication path of communication in the first communication scheme”corresponds to “combining different communication schemes that arecommunication in the first communication scheme and communication in thesecond communication scheme.”

Specifically, the processing unit 110 authenticates the communicationtarget device (Peripheral), such as the information processing device200 illustrated in FIG. 1, on the basis of the predetermined informationto be used in the process to be performed in communication in the secondcommunication scheme, the information being transmitted by broadcastthrough communication in the first communication scheme from thecommunication target device.

The processing unit 110 authenticates a communication target device onthe basis of acquired predetermined information in a case in which thepredetermined information is acquired via a communication device with afunction of performing communication in the first communication scheme.As the above-described communication device with the function ofperforming communication in the first communication scheme, for example,the first communication unit 102, or an external communication deviceconnected to the information processing device 100 is exemplified.

As such predetermined information according to the present embodiment,one or both of identification information indicating a device (e.g., anID indicating a device, or the like) and service type informationindicating a service (e.g., an ID indicating a service, or the like) areexemplified.

The processing unit 110 authenticates a communication target device asintroduced in, for example, (A) to (C) described below.

(A) First Example of Authentication Based on Predetermined Information:Case in which Predetermined Information is Identification Information

The processing unit 110 authenticates a communication target device onthe basis of identification information acquired from the communicationtarget device. The processing unit 110 authenticates the communicationtarget device by, for example, comparing the identification informationacquired from the communication target device with identificationinformation stored in the recording medium.

The processing unit 110 determines that the communication target devicehas been authenticated in a case in which, for example, the deviceindicated by the acquired identification information coincides with thedevice indicated by the identification information stored in therecording medium.

As the recording medium in which identification information is stored,for example, the storage unit (which is not illustrated) included in theinformation processing device 100, an external recording mediumconnected to the information processing device 100, a recording mediumincluded in an external device provided outside the informationprocessing device 100, such as the server 300, or an external recordingmedium connected to the external device is exemplified.

In a case in which the recording medium in which identificationinformation is stored is a recording medium included in an externaldevice such as the server 300 or an external recording medium connectedto the external device, the processing unit 110, for example, acquiresthe identification information from the external device andauthenticates the communication target device using the identificationinformation acquired from the external device. The processing unit 110acquires the identification information from the external device bycausing, for example, the above-described other communication device orthe like to transmit a transmission request including a transmissioninstruction for the identification information to the external devicesuch as the server 300.

(B) Second Example of Authentication Based on Predetermined Information:Case in which Predetermined Information is Service Type Information

The processing unit 110 authenticates a communication target device onthe basis of service type information acquired from the communicationtarget device. The processing unit 110 authenticates the communicationtarget device by, for example, comparing the service type informationacquired from the communication target device with service typeinformation stored in the recording medium.

In a case in which the service indicated by the acquired service typeinformation coincides with the service indicated by the service typeinformation stored in the recording medium, for example, the processingunit 110 determines that the communication target device has beenauthenticated. In addition, in a case in which the acquired service typeinformation indicates a plurality of services and some of the servicescoincide with the service, the processing unit 110 can determine thatthe communication target device has been authenticated as well. As thecase in which some of the services coincide with the service, forexample, a case in which a predetermined service set among the pluralityof services coincides with the service, or a case in which the number ofservices among the plurality of services that coincide with the serviceis greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value (or a casein which the number of services among the plurality of services thatcoincide with the service is greater than a predetermined thresholdvalue) is exemplified.

As the recording medium in which service type information is stored, forexample, the storage unit (which is not illustrated) included in theinformation processing device 100, an external recording mediumconnected to the information processing device 100, a recording mediumincluded in an external device provided outside the informationprocessing device 100, such as the server 300, or an external recordingmedium connected to the external device is exemplified.

In a case in which the recording medium in which service typeinformation is stored is a recording medium included in an externaldevice such as the server 300 or an external recording medium connectedto the external device, the processing unit 110, for example, acquiresthe service type information from the external device and authenticatesthe communication target device using the service type informationacquired from the external device. The processing unit 110 acquires theservice type information from the external device by causing, forexample, the above-described other communication device or the like totransmit a transmission request including a transmission instruction forthe service type information to the external device such as the server300.

(C) Third Example of Authentication Based on Predetermined Information

The processing unit 110 can also authenticate a communication targetdevice by combining the process according to the first exampleintroduced in (A) described above and the process according to thesecond example introduced in (B) described above.

The processing unit 110 determines that the communication target devicehas been authenticated in, for example, “a case in which thecommunication target device is determined to have been authenticatedthrough a similar process to the process according to the first exampleintroduced in (A) described above and the communication target device isdetermined to have been authenticated through a similar process to theprocess according to the second example introduced in (B) describedabove.”

The processing unit 110 authenticates the communication target device byperforming, for example, any process of the process according to thefirst example introduced in (A) described above to the process accordingto the third example introduced in (C) described above.

Then, in a case in which the authentication is completed, the processingunit 110 establishes communication with the communication target devicein the first communication scheme.

The processing unit 110 establishes communication with the communicationtarget device in the first communication scheme by, for example,performing a process, which is called pairing for connectingcommunicating apparatuses, with the communication target device. Notethat it is needless to say that a method for establishing communicationwith a communication target device in the first communication scheme isnot limited to pairing.

The processing unit 110 performs the above-described communicationestablishment process as the process relating to the informationprocessing method according to the present embodiment.

Here, information used by the information processing device 100 in anyprocess of the process according to the first example introduced in (A)described above to the process according to the third example introducedin (C) described above is predetermined information to be used in aprocess to be performed in communication in the second communicationscheme. Thus, since the above-described communication establishmentprocess is performed, authentication of a communication target device isrealized by combining different communication schemes that arecommunication in the first communication scheme and communication in thesecond communication scheme.

Thus, the information processing device 100 including the processingunit 110 can authenticate a communication target device by combining thedifferent communication schemes and establish communication with thecommunication target device in one communication scheme.

Note that the process relating to the information processing methodaccording to the present embodiment is not limited to theabove-described process (1) (communication establishment process).

The processing unit 110 can perform an execution process introduced in(2) described below in a case in which, for example, communication withthe communication target device in the first communication scheme isestablished.

Note that communication in the first communication scheme established inthe case in which the execution process introduced in (2) describedbelow is performed may be regarded as having been established throughthe above-described process (1) (communication establishment process)according to the information processing method according to the presentembodiment, or may be regarded as having been established using anarbitrary establishment method such as an establishment method based ona predetermined user operation such as a user operation for pairing.

A case in which communication with the communication target device inthe first communication scheme is established through theabove-described process (1) (communication establishment process) willbe mainly exemplified below.

(2) Execution Process

When communication with the communication target device in the firstcommunication scheme is established, the processing unit 110 performs aprocess using the information to be used in a process to be performed incommunication in the second communication scheme through the establishedcommunication with the communication target device in the firstcommunication scheme.

As the process using the information to be used in a process to beperformed in communication in the second communication scheme, forexample, processes relating to a service to be provided using NFC (e.g.,one or two or more arbitrary processes such as an arbitrary process inaccordance with a result of individual authentication, a billingprocess, and the like) are exemplified. In addition, as the processusing the information to be used in the process to be performed incommunication in the second communication scheme, for example, anarbitrary process performed in use cases, which will be described below,is exemplified.

In addition, as the information to be used in the process to beperformed in communication in the second communication scheme, forexample, information stored in a secure recording medium is exemplified.As the secure recording medium, for example, a recording medium withtamper resistance is exemplified. Furthermore, the secure recordingmedium may include a secure area that requires authentication using anencryption key or the like or a non-secure are that does not requireauthentication when access to the recording medium such as reading orwriting is made.

Note that it is needless to say that information to be used in theprocess to be performed in communication in the second communicationscheme is not limited to the information stored in a secure recordingmedium. A case in which the information to be used in the process to beperformed in communication in the second communication scheme, which isused in an execution process, is information stored in a securerecording medium will be exemplified below.

In addition, the processing unit 110 can also perform, for example,processes that are introduced in (a) to (d) described below as executionprocesses. Note that it is needless to say that an example of executionprocess is not limited to the processes that are introduced in (a) to(d) described below.

(a) First Example of Execution Process

The processing unit 110 determines a state of communication with acommunication target device in the first communication scheme, andacquires information stored in a secure recording medium from thecommunication target device on the basis of the determination result.

The processing unit 110 acquires the information stored in the securerecording medium from the communication target device by, for example,transmitting a transmission request including an informationtransmission instruction to the communication target device throughcommunication in the first communication scheme. The processing unit 110transmits the transmission request to the communication target deviceby, for example, controlling the first communication unit 102.

Then, the processing unit 110 performs a process using the acquiredinformation stored in the secure recording medium.

Here, as the state of communication in the first communication schemeaccording to the present embodiment, for example, communication strengthin communication in the first communication scheme or a communicationdistance in communication in the first communication scheme isexemplified. The processing unit 110 acquires the information stored inthe secure recording medium from the communication target device by, forexample, performing any process among processes (a-1) to (a-3) describedbelow.

(a-1) Case in which State of Communication in First Communication SchemeRefers to Communication Strength in Communication in First CommunicationScheme

The processing unit 110 acquires communication strength in communicationin the first communication scheme by measuring signal strength of asignal transmitted from the communication target device in thecommunication in the first communication scheme using a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) included in the information processing device100 or an external RSSI connected to the information processing device100. Note that the processing unit 110 may acquire communicationstrength in communication in the first communication scheme using anarbitrary method in which communication strength in the communication inthe first communication scheme can be acquired, such as a method ofestimating communication strength in the communication in the firstcommunication scheme.

In addition, in a case in which the acquired communication strength hasa value greater than a predetermined threshold value or thecommunication strength has a value greater than or equal to thethreshold value, for example, the processing unit 110 acquires theinformation stored in the secure recording medium from the communicationtarget device. Here, as the predetermined threshold value relating tothe communication strength, for example, a fixed threshold value set inadvance, or a variable threshold value that can be adjusted on the basisof a user operation or the like is exemplified. In addition, thepredetermined threshold value relating to the communication strength maybe dynamically set using, for example, an algorithm for dynamicallychanging the threshold value on the basis of a measurement result of apattern of the communication strength.

(a-2) Case in which State of Communication in First Communication SchemeRefers to a Communication Distance in Communication in FirstCommunication Scheme

The processing unit 110 acquires a communication distance by, forexample, estimating the communication distance on the basis of a signalstrength of a signal transmitted from the communication target device incommunication in the first communication scheme. In addition, theprocessing unit 110 may acquire a communication distance using anarbitrary method in which the communication distance can be acquired,for example, a “method of estimating a communication distance on thebasis of a time from when a signal is transmitted to the communicationtarget device in communication in the first communication scheme to whena response signal transmitted from the communication target device isreceived.”

In addition, in a case in which the acquired communication distance hasa value smaller than a predetermined threshold value or thecommunication distance has a value smaller than or equal to thepredetermined threshold value, for example, the processing unit 110acquires the information stored in the secure recording medium from thecommunication target device. Here, as the predetermined threshold valueof the above-described communication distance, for example, a fixedthreshold value set in advance or a variable threshold value that can beadjusted on the basis of a user operation or the like is exemplified.

a-3

The processing unit 110 can also acquire the information stored in thesecure recording medium from the communication target device bycombining the above-described process introduced in (a-1) and theabove-described process introduced in (a-2).

In a “case in which the acquired communication strength is greater thanthe predetermined threshold value relating to communication strength andthe acquired communication distance is shorter than the predeterminedthreshold value relating to communication distance,” for example, theprocessing unit 110 acquires the information stored in the securerecording medium from communication target device. Note that it isneedless to say that an example of the combined process of theabove-described process introduced in (a-1) and the above-describedprocess introduced in (a-2) is not limited to the above-describedexample.

(b) Second Example of Execution Process

The processing unit 110 determines a predetermined action performed by auser of the communication target device and acquires the informationstored in the secure recording medium from the communication targetdevice on the basis of the determination result.

In a case in which the predetermined action is determined to have beenperformed, the processing unit 110 transmits a transmission requestincluding an information transmission instruction to the communicationtarget device, and thereby acquires the information stored in the securerecording medium from the communication target device.

Then, the processing unit 110 performs a process using the acquiredinformation stored in the secure recording medium.

Here, as the predetermined action relating to the present embodiment,for example, one or two or more arbitrary actions that can be detectedby the information processing device 100, such as a specific operation(e.g., pressing a button or the like) with respect to communicationtarget device, an action of moving the communication target device, or acombination thereof, is exemplified.

The processing unit 110 determines that the predetermined action hasbeen performed in a case in which, for example, an operation signalindicating a specific operation transmitted from the communicationtarget device using communication in the first communication scheme isdetected.

In addition, the processing unit 110 detects movement of thecommunication target device on the basis of, for example, one or both ofmotion information and position information transmitted from thecommunication target device using communication in the firstcommunication scheme. Then, in a case in which movement of thecommunication target device is detected, the processing unit 110determines that the predetermined action has been performed.

Here, as the motion information, for example, data indicating adetection result of a motion sensor such as an acceleration sensor or anangular velocity sensor is exemplified. In addition, as the positioninformation, for example, data indicating a detection result of a devicethat can specify a position, such as global navigation satellite system(GNSS) device or the like (or data indicating an estimation result of adevice that can estimate a position using an arbitrary method) isexemplified.

(c) Third Example of Execution Process

As described above, in the information processing system according tothe present embodiment, there can be cases in which a plurality ofinformation processing devices 200 playing a role of Peripheral arepresent in communication in the first communication scheme. Thus, when aplurality of information processing devices 200 are present, there canbe cases in which a plurality of communication target devices that haveestablished communication with the information processing device 100 inthe first communication scheme are present in the information processingsystem according to the present embodiment.

As described above, in the case in which a plurality of communicationtarget devices that have established communication in the firstcommunication scheme are present, the processing unit 110 performs aprocess using information to be used in a process to be performed incommunication in the second communication scheme via the communicationestablished with each of the plurality of communication target devicesin the first communication scheme.

Here, the processing unit 110 performs the process using the informationto be used in the process to be performed in communication in the secondcommunication scheme, for example, independently with respect to each ofthe plurality of communication target devices.

Note that an execution process performed in the case in which aplurality of communication target devices that have establishedcommunication in the first communication scheme are present is notlimited to the above-described example.

For example, the processing unit 110 can also change a process to beexecuted on the basis of a combination of information acquired from eachof the plurality of communication target devices, the information to beused in a process to be performed in communication in the secondcommunication scheme.

As examples of a process based on a combination of information to beused in a process to be performed in communication in the secondcommunication scheme, for example, the following examples areexemplified. Note that it is needless to say that examples of a processbased on a combination of information to be used in a process to beperformed in communication in the second communication scheme are notlimited to the following examples.

-   -   Authority of users associated with the plurality of        communication target devices respectively is ascertained, then        only the process supported by a communication target device        having the highest authority is performed, and processes not        supported by the communication target device having the highest        authority is not performed.    -   Authority of users associated with the plurality of        communication target devices respectively is ascertained, and in        a case in which there is a communication target device        associated with a specific user (e.g., a child, or the like), a        process to be performed is restricted.    -   IDs indicating devices (or user IDs) associated with the        plurality of communication target devices respectively are        ascertained, and in a case in which a combination of IDs        indicating devices (or user IDs) satisfies a set condition, a        set process is executed, and in a case in which the combination        does not satisfy the condition, the set process is not executed.        Here, as the set condition, an arbitrary condition for a        combination, for example, “satisfying a combination of IDs        indicating specific devices (or a combination of specific user        IDs)” or the like, is exemplified. In a case in which the set        condition is that “satisfying a combination of IDs indicating        specific devices,” for example, an operation of “not performing        a process when a communication target device that has        established communication in the first communication scheme is        solely a device A alone and performing a process when        communication target devices that have established communication        in the first communication scheme are devices A and B” is        realized.

(d) Fourth Example of Execution Process

The processing unit 110 can also perform a process obtained by combiningtwo or more of the execution process relating to the first exampleintroduced in (a) described above to the execution process relating tothe third example introduced in (c) described above.

As an example, in a case in which a process obtained by combining theexecution process relating to the first example introduced in (a)described above and the execution process relating to the second exampleintroduced in (b) described above is performed and information stored inthe secure recording medium is acquired through the execution processrelating to the first example introduced in (a) described above or theexecution process relating to the second example introduced in (b)described above, for example, the processing unit 110 performs a processusing the acquired information stored in the secure recording medium.

By including the processing unit 110, for example, the control unit 106plays a leading role of performing a process relating to the informationprocessing method according to the present embodiment (e.g., “theabove-described process (1) (communication establishment process),” or“the above-described process (1) (communication establishment process)and the above-described process (2) (execution process)”).

By employing the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3, for example, theinformation processing device 100 performs a process relating to theinformation processing method according to the present embodiment (e.g.,“the above-described process (1) (communication establishment process),”or “the above-described process (1) (communication establishmentprocess) and the above-described process (2) (execution process)”).

Therefore, the information processing device 100 can authenticate acommunication target device using a combination of differentcommunication schemes and establish communication with the communicationtarget device in one communication scheme in, for example, theconfiguration illustrated FIG. 3.

In addition, in the configuration illustrated FIG. 3, for example, theinformation processing device 100 can exhibit effects that can beobtained by performing the above-described process relating to theinformation processing method according to the present embodiment.

Note that, as described above, communication with a communication targetdevice in the first communication scheme may be established using anarbitrary establishment method such as an establishment method based ona predetermined user operation such as an operation relating to pairingof a user or the like. Thus, in a case in which communication with acommunication target device in the first communication scheme isestablished using a different method from the above-described process(1) (communication establishment process), the processing unit 110 ofthe information processing device 100 may perform the above-describedprocess (2) (execution process) as the process relating to theinformation processing method according to the present embodiment.

In addition, a configuration of the information processing device thatcan perform the process relating to the information processing methodaccording to the present embodiment is not limited to the configurationillustrated in FIG. 3.

The information processing device according to the present embodimentcan include the processing unit 110 illustrated in FIG. 3, for example,separately from the control unit 106 (e.g., realized in a separateprocessing circuit).

Note that each of “the above-described process (1) (communicationestablishment process)” and “the above-described process (1)(communication establishment process) and the above-described process(2) (execution process)” are prepared by dividing the process relatingto the information processing method according to the present embodimentfor convenience. Thus, with respect to the process relating to theinformation processing method according to the present embodiment, forexample, “the above-described process (1) (communication establishmentprocess) and the above-described process (2) (execution process)” can beunderstood as one process. In addition, with respect to the processrelating to the information processing method according to the presentembodiment, for example, “the above-described process (1) (communicationestablishment process)” and “the above-described process (1)(communication establishment process) and the above-described process(2) (execution process)” can be respectively understood as two or moreprocesses (using an arbitrary dividing method).

Therefore, a configuration for realizing the process relating to theinformation processing method according to the present embodiment is notlimited to that illustrated in FIG. 3, and a configuration complyingwith the dividing method for the process relating to the informationprocessing method according to the present embodiment can be employed.

In addition, the information processing device according to the presentembodiment may not include the first communication unit 102 in a case inwhich, for example, the information processing device performscommunication in the first communication scheme with an external devicevia a connected external communication device that can performcommunication in the first communication scheme.

Furthermore, the information processing device according to the presentembodiment may not include the second communication unit 104 in a casein which, for example, the information processing device performscommunication in the second communication scheme with an external devicevia a connected external communication device that can performcommunication in the second communication scheme.

The information processing device 100 according to the presentembodiment can be applied to various devices that can perform theprocess relating to the information processing method according to thepresent embodiment, for example, computers such as personal computers(PCs) and servers, mobile objects such as automobiles, devicescorresponding to each of uses cases that will be described below such asticket gates, and the like. In addition, the present embodiment can alsobe applied to, for example, processing ICs that can be incorporated intothe above-described devices.

Furthermore, the information processing device 100 according to thepresent embodiment may be applied to, for example, a processing systemon the premise of connection to a network (or communication betweendevices) such as cloud computing. As an example of a processing systemthat performs the process relating to the information processing methodaccording to the present embodiment, for example, a system in which theabove-described process (1) (communication establishment process) isperformed by one device constituting the processing system and theabove-described process (2) (execution process) is performed by anotherdevice constituting the processing system is exemplified.

[2-2] Information Processing Device 200

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration ofthe information processing device 200 according to the presentembodiment that can perform the process relating to another informationprocessing method according to the present embodiment. In the case inwhich communication in the first communication scheme is BLE or thelike, for example, the information processing device 200 plays the roleof Peripheral in the communication in the first communication scheme.

The information processing device 200 includes, for example, a firstcommunication unit 202, a second communication unit 204, and a controlunit 206.

In addition, the information processing device 200 may also include, forexample, a ROM (which is not illustrated), a RAM (which is notillustrated), an operation unit (which is not illustrated) operable by auser, a display unit (which is not illustrated) that displays variousscreens on a display screen, and the like. The information processingdevice 200 has the above-described constituent elements connected toeach other by, for example, a bus serving as a data transmission path.

The ROM (which is not illustrated) stores control data such as aprogram, arithmetic parameters, and the like to be used by the controlunit 206. The RAM (which is not illustrated) temporarily stores aprogram and the like to be executed by the control unit 106.

As the operation unit (which is not illustrated), an operation inputdevice which will be described below is exemplified. In addition, as thedisplay unit (which is not illustrated), a display device which will bedescribed below is exemplified.

Example of Hardware Configuration of Information Processing Device 200

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a hardwareconfiguration of the information processing device 100 according to thepresent embodiment that can perform the process relating to anotherinformation processing method according to the present embodiment. FIG.6 shows the example of the hardware configuration of the informationprocessing device 200 in a case in which communication in the secondcommunication scheme is NFC.

The information processing device 200 includes, for example, an MPU 250,a ROM 252, a RAM 254, a recording medium 256, an input/output interface258, an operation input device 260, a display device 262, acommunication interface 264, and an antenna 268. In addition, theinformation processing device 200 has, for example, a bus 270 connectingthe constituent elements to one another as a data transmission path.

The MPU 250 includes, for example, one or two or more processors,various processing circuits, and the like including arithmetic circuitssuch as MPUs, and functions as the control unit 206 which controls theentire information processing device 200. In addition, the MPU 250 playsa role of, for example, a processing unit 210, which will be describedbelow, in the information processing device 200.

The ROM 252 stores control data, and the like such as programs andarithmetic parameters to be used by the MPU 250. The RAM 254 temporarilystores, for example, a program to be executed by the MPU 250, and thelike.

The recording medium 256 functions as the storage unit (which is notillustrated), and stores various kinds of data, for example, variousapplications, and the like. Here, as the recording medium 256, forexample, a magnetic recording medium such as a hard disk, a non-volatilememory such as a flash memory, and the like are exemplified. Inaddition, the recording medium 256 may be detachable from theinformation processing device 200.

The input/output interface 258 connects, for example, the operationinput device 260 and the display device 262. The operation input device260 functions as an operation unit (which is not illustrated), and thedisplay device 262 functions as a display unit (which is notillustrated). Here, as the input/output interface 258, for example, aUSB terminal, a DVI terminal, a HDMI (registered trademark) terminal,various processing circuits, and the like are exemplified.

In addition, the operation input device 260 is provided, for example, onthe information processing device 200 and connected to the input/outputinterface 258 inside the information processing device 200. As theoperation input device 260, for example, buttons, arrow keys, arotation-type selector such as a jog dial, a combination thereof, or thelike are exemplified.

Furthermore, the display device 262 is provided, for example, on theinformation processing device 200 and connected to the input/outputinterface 258 inside the information processing device 200. As thedisplay device 262, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic ELdisplay, or the like is exemplified.

Note that it is needless to say that the input/output interface 258 canalso be connected to an external operation input device (e.g., akeyboard, a mouse, or the like) or an external display device serving asexternal devices of the information processing device 200. In addition,the display device 262 may be a device, for example, such as a touchscreen capable of display and user operations.

The communication interface 264 is a communication section provided inthe information processing device 200 for performing communication inthe first communication scheme, and functions as the first communicationunit 202. Here, as the communication interface 264, for example, an IEEE802.15.1 port and a transmission/reception circuit, an IEEE 802.11 portand a transmission/reception circuit, or the like is exemplified.

The IC chip 266 and the antenna 268 is a communication section includedin the information processing device 200 for performing communication inthe second communication scheme. The IC chip 266 and the antenna 268performs communication based on NFC with a reader/writer an externaldevice that functions as a reader/writer using, for example, a carrierhaving a predetermined frequency of 13.56 [MHz] or the like. The antenna268 plays a role of receiving a carrier and transmitting a responsesignal. In addition, the IC chip 266 demodulates and processes a carriersignal transmitted from an external device such as a reader/writer onthe basis of the received carrier and causes a response signal to betransmitted using load modulation.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of aconfiguration of the IC chip 266 and the antenna 268 illustrated in FIG.6. Note that the information processing device 200 may not have, forexample, the configuration of the IC chip 266 illustrated in FIG. 6 inthe form of an IC chip.

The antenna 268 includes, for example, a resonance circuit including acoil (inductor) L1 having a predetermined inductance and a capacitor C1having a predetermined electrostatic capacity, and causes an inducedvoltage to be generated through electromagnetic induction in accordancewith reception of a carrier. In addition, the antenna 268 outputs areception voltage obtained by causing the induced voltage to resonate ata predetermined resonance frequency. Here, the resonance frequency ofthe antenna 268 is set in accordance with a frequency of a carrier, forexample, like a frequency of 13.56 [MHz], or the like. With theabove-described configuration, the antenna 268 receives carriers andtransmits response signals using load modulation performed by the loadmodulation circuit 282 included in the IC chip 266.

The IC chip 266 includes a carrier detection circuit 272, a detectorcircuit 274, a regulator 276, a demodulation circuit 278, an MPU 280,and the load modulation circuit 282. Note that, although not illustratedin FIG. 18, the IC chip 266 may further include, for example, aprotection circuit (which is not illustrated) for preventing anovervoltage or an overcurrent from being applied to the MPU 280. Here,as the protection circuit (which is not illustrated), for example, aclamp circuit including a diode, or the like is exemplified.

In addition, the IC chip 266 includes, for example, a ROM 284, a RAM286, and a non-volatile memory 288. The MPU 280, the ROM 284, the RAM286, and the non-volatile memory 288 are connected by, for example, abus 290 serving as a data transmission path. Furthermore, the bus 290 isconnected to the bus 270.

The ROM 284 stores control data such as programs and arithmeticparameters to be used by the MPU 280. The RAM 286 temporarily stores aprogram to be executed by the MPU 280, arithmetic results, executionstates, and the like.

The non-volatile memory 288 stores various kinds of data, for example,encryption key information used for mutual authentication incommunication in the second communication scheme, electronic values(money or data having a value equivalent to money; which can be referredto as “electronic money” below), various applications and the like.Here, as the non-volatile memory 288, for example, erasable andprogrammable read only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory, or the like isexemplified. The non-volatile memory 288 has, for example, tamperresistance, and corresponds to an example of the secure recordingmedium.

The carrier detection circuit 272 generates, for example, a rectangulardetection signal on the basis of a reception voltage conveyed from theantenna 268 and conveys the detection signal to the MPU 280. Inaddition, the MPU 280 uses the above-described conveyed detection signalas, for example, a processing clock for data processing. Here, since theabove-described detection signal is based on the reception voltageconveyed from the antenna 268, the detection signal is synchronized withthe frequency of a carrier transmitted from an external device such asthe reader/writer. Thus, the IC chip 266 can perform a process to beperformed between the IC chip 266 and an external device such as thereader/writer in synchronization with the external device since the ICchip includes the carrier detection circuit 272.

The detector circuit 274 rectifies the reception voltage output from theantenna 268. Here, the detector circuit 274 includes, for example, adiode D1 and a capacitor C2.

The regulator 276 smoothens the reception voltage such that thereception voltage becomes a constant voltage, and outputs a drivevoltage to the MPU 280. Here, the regulator 276 uses DC components ofthe reception voltage as a drive voltage.

The demodulation circuit 278 demodulates a carrier signal on the basisof the reception voltage, and outputs data (e.g., binarized data signalsof a high level and a low level) corresponding to the carrier signalincluded in the carrier. Here, the demodulation circuit 278 outputs ACcomponents of the reception voltage as data.

The MPU 280 is driven using the drive voltage output from the regulator276 as a power source, and processes the data demodulated by thedemodulation circuit 278. Here, the MPU 280 includes, for example, oneor two or more processors, various processing circuits, and the likeincluding arithmetic circuits such as MPUs.

In addition, the MPU 280 selectively generates a control signal forcontrolling load modulation relating to a response to an external devicesuch as the reader/writer in accordance with a process result. Then, theMPU 280 selectively outputs the control signal to the load modulationcircuit 282.

The load modulation circuit 282 includes, for example, a load Z and aswitch SW1, and performs load modulation by selectively connecting theload Z (making the load Z active) in accordance with the control signalconveyed from the MPU 280. Here, the load Z includes, for example, aresistor having a predetermined resistance value. In addition, theswitch SW1 includes, for example, a p-channel metal oxide semiconductorfield effect transistor (MOSFET) or an n-channel MOSFET.

With the above-described configuration, the IC chip 266 can process thecarrier signal received by the antenna 268 and can cause the antenna 268to transmit a response signal using load modulation.

The IC chip 266 and the antenna 268 perform communication based on NFCwith an external device such as the reader/writer using a carrier havinga predetermined frequency, for example, by having the configurationillustrated in FIG. 7. Note that it is needless to say that theconfiguration of the IC chip 266 and the antenna 268 according to thepresent embodiment is not limited to the example illustrated in FIG. 7.

The information processing device 200 performs the process relating tothe other information processing method according to the later-describedembodiment using, for example, the configuration illustrated in FIG. 6.Note that a hardware configuration of the information processing device200 according to the present embodiment is not limited to theconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 6.

For example, the information processing device 200 may not include thecommunication interface 264 in a case in which the informationprocessing device performs first communication with an external devicevia a connected external communication device that can performcommunication in the first communication scheme.

In addition, the information processing device 200 may include thecarrier transmission circuit 166 and the antenna 168 illustrated in FIG.4, for example, instead of the IC chip 266 and the antenna 268illustrated in FIG. 6. The information processing device 200 can alsofurther include the carrier transmission circuit 166 and the antenna 168illustrated in FIG. 4 and employ a configuration with a reader/writerfunction for NFC.

Furthermore, in a case in which communication in the secondcommunication scheme is not NFC, the information processing device 200may not include the IC chip 266 and the antenna 268. In addition, in thecase in which communication in the second communication scheme is notNFC, the information processing device 200 further includes acommunication device that supports communication in the secondcommunication scheme, such as an infrared communication device.

In addition, the information processing device 200 may not include acommunication device that supports communication in the secondcommunication scheme, such as the IC chip 266 and the antenna 268, in acase in which the information processing device performs communicationin the second communication scheme with an external device via aconnected external communication device that can perform communicationin the second communication scheme.

Furthermore, the information processing device 200 may further includeother communication devices, for example, a communication antenna suchas an antenna for LTE/3G and an RF circuit or the like.

In addition, the information processing device 200 may further include asensor, for example, a GNSS device, an acceleration sensor.

Furthermore, the information processing device 200 may employ aconfiguration in which, for example, one or two or more of the recordingmedium 256, an operation input device 260, and the display device 262are not included.

In addition, the configuration illustrated in FIG. 6 (or a configurationaccording to a modified example), for example, may be realized by one ortwo or more ICs.

Referring to FIG. 5 again, an example of the configuration of theinformation processing device 200 will be described. The firstcommunication unit 202 performs communication with an external deviceusing communication in the first communication scheme. Firstcommunication of the first communication unit 202 is controlled by, forexample, the control unit 206 (more specifically, for example, theprocessing unit 210).

Here, as the first communication unit 202, for example, an IEEE 802.15.1port and a transmission/reception circuit, an IEEE 802.11 port and atransmission/reception circuit, or the like is exemplified.

The second communication unit 204 performs communication with anexternal device through communication in the second communicationscheme. The communication of the second communication unit 204 in thesecond communication scheme is controlled by, for example, the controlunit 206 (more specifically, for example, the processing unit 210).

Here, as the second communication unit 204, for example, a communicationdevice that supports NFC such as IC chip 266 and the antenna 268illustrated in FIG. 6, an infrared communication device, or the like isexemplified.

The control unit 206 is constituted by, for example, an MPU and thelike, and plays a role of controlling the information processing device200 overall. In addition, the control unit 206 includes, for example,the processing unit 210 and plays a leading role of performing theprocess relating to another information processing method according tothe present embodiment.

The processing unit 210 plays a leading role of performing the processrelating to the other information processing method according to thepresent embodiment. The processing unit 210 performs an executioncontrol process introduced in (I) described below, for example, as theprocess relating to the other information processing method according tothe present embodiment.

(I) Execution Control Process

When communication with a communication target device is established,the processing unit 210 determines a state of the communication with thecommunication target device.

Here, as the communication with the communication target device,communication in the first communication scheme is exemplified. Notethat an execution control process relating to the other informationprocessing method according to the present embodiment can be applied tocommunication in a communication scheme other than the firstcommunication scheme, such as communication in the second communicationscheme.

Then, the processing unit 210 does not perform a process based on arequest transmitted from the communication target device on the basis ofthe determination result even in a case in which the request transmittedfrom the communication target device is acquired.

Here, as the state of the communication according to the presentembodiment, for example, communication strength of the communication ora communication distance of the communication is exemplified. Theprocessing unit 210 realizes not to perform a process based on therequest transmitted from the communication target device based on thedetermination result by performing, for example, any process amongprocesses introduced in (i) to (iii) described below.

(i) Case in which State of Communication Refers to CommunicationStrength of Communication

The processing unit 210 acquires communication strength of communicationwith the communication target device by, for example, measuring signalstrength of a signal transmitted from the communication target deviceusing an RSSI included in the information processing device 200, anexternal RSSI connected to the information processing device 200 or thelike. Note that the processing unit 210 may acquire communicationstrength of communication with the communication target device using anarbitrary method which enables communication strength of thecommunication to be acquired, such as a method of estimatingcommunication strength.

Then, in a case in which the acquired communication strength has a valuesmaller than a predetermined threshold value or the communicationstrength has a value equal to or smaller than the predeterminedthreshold value, for example, the processing unit 210 does not performthe process based on the request transmitted from the communicationtarget device. Here, as the predetermined threshold value relating tothe communication strength, for example, a fixed threshold value set inadvance, or a variable threshold value that can be adjusted on the basisof a user operation or the like is exemplified. In addition, thepredetermined threshold value relating to the communication strength maybe dynamically set using, for example, an algorithm for dynamicallychanging the threshold value on the basis of a measurement result of apattern of the communication strength.

(ii) Case in which State of Communication in First Communication SchemeRefers to a Communication Distance

The processing unit 210 acquires a communication distance by, forexample, estimating the communication distance on the basis of a signalstrength of a signal transmitted from the communication target device incommunication. In addition, the processing unit 210 may acquire acommunication distance using an arbitrary method in which thecommunication distance can be acquired, for example, a “method ofestimating a communication distance on the basis of a time from when asignal is transmitted to the communication target device incommunication to when a response signal transmitted from thecommunication target device is received.”

Then, in a case in which the acquired communication distance has a valuegreater than a predetermined threshold value or the communicationdistance has a value greater than or equal to the threshold value, forexample, the processing unit 210 does not perform the process based onthe request transmitted from the communication target device. Here, asthe predetermined threshold value for the communication distance, forexample, a pre-set fixed threshold value or a variable threshold valuethat can be adjusted on the basis of a user operation or the like isexemplified.

(iii)

The processing unit 210 can also realize not to perform the processbased on the request transmitted from the communication target device onthe basis of the determination result by combining the processintroduced in (i) described above and the process introduced in (ii)described above.

The processing unit 210 does not perform the process based on therequest transmitted from the communication target device even in a casein which the request transmitted from the communication target device isacquired in, for example, “the case in which the acquired communicationstrength is smaller than the predetermined threshold value or the casein which the acquired communication distance is shorter than thepredetermined threshold value.” Note that it is needless to say that anexample of the process in which the process introduced in (i) describedabove and the process introduced in (ii) described above are combined isnot limited to the above-described example.

The processing unit 210 realizes not to perform the process based on therequest transmitted from the communication target device on the basis ofthe determination result by, for example, performing any of the processintroduced in (ii) described above to the process introduced in (iii)described above as the execution control process.

Note that an execution control process relating to the other informationprocessing method according to the present embodiment is not limited tothe above-described example.

For example, the processing unit 210 may determine a predeterminedaction performed by a user of the information processing device 200 andnot perform the process based on the request transmitted from thecommunication target device on the basis of the determination resultabout the predetermined action.

Here, as the predetermined action relating to the execution controlprocess, one or two or more arbitrary actions that can be detected bythe information processing device 200, for example, a specific operation(e.g., pressing a button or the like) performed with respect to anoperation unit (which is not illustrated) of the information processingdevice 200, a specific operation (e.g., pressing a button or the like)performed with respect to an external device such as a remotecontroller, an action of moving the information processing device 200, acombination thereof, and the like are exemplified.

In a case in which an operation signal indicating a specific operationacquired from the operation unit (which is not illustrated) is detected,for example, the processing unit 210 determines that the predeterminedaction has been performed.

In addition, the processing unit 210 detects movement of the informationprocessing device 200 on the basis of one or both of motion informationand position information transmitted from, for example, a sensorincluded in the information processing device 200 or an external sensorconnected to the information processing device 200. Then, the processingunit 210 determines that the predetermined action has been performed ina case in which movement of the information processing device 200 isdetected.

In the case in which the predetermined action is determined to have beenperformed, for example, the processing unit 210 does not perform aprocess based on a request acquired after the determination transmittedfrom the communication target device.

Furthermore, the processing unit 210 can neither perform a process basedon a request transmitted from the communication target device on thebasis of, for example, a combination of a determination result of astate of communication with the communication target device and adetermination result of the predetermined action performed by a user ofthe information processing device 200.

As an example, in a case in which communication strength ofcommunication with the communication target device is smaller than thepredetermined threshold value or the predetermined action is determinedto have been performed, for example, the processing unit 210 does notperform a process based on a request transmitted from the communicationtarget device.

By including the processing unit 210, for example, the control unit 206plays a leading role of performing a process relating to the otherinformation processing method according to the present embodiment (e.g.,the above-described process (I) (execution control process).

The information processing device 200 performs the process relating tothe other information processing method according to the presentembodiment (e.g., the above-described process (I) (execution controlprocess)) using, for example, the configuration illustrated in FIG. 5.

Here, the information processing device 200 may not perform a processbased on a request transmitted from the communication target deviceafter communication with the communication target device is establishedon the basis of one or both of a determination result of a state ofcommunication with the communication target device and a determinationresult of the predetermined action performed by a user of theinformation processing device 200.

Therefore, the information processing device 200 can block access fromthe communication target device, for example, using the configurationillustrated in FIG. 5, for example, even after pairing. As an example ofthe information processing system 1000 illustrated in FIG. 1, forexample, the information processing device 200 playing a role ofPeripheral can block access from the information processing device 100playing a role of Central even after pairing.

The information processing device 200 according to the presentembodiment can be applied to various devices that can perform a processrelating to the other information processing method according to thepresent embodiment, for example, a communication device such as asmartphone, an arbitrary wearable device used worn in the body of auser, such as a watch type device, or the like. In addition, the presentembodiment can also be applied to, for example, a processing IC that canbe incorporated into the above-described device.

[3] Use Cases to which Information Processing Method According toPresent Embodiment and Other Information Processing Method According toPresent Embodiment can be Applied

Next, use case examples to which the above-described informationprocessing method according to the present embodiment and theabove-described other information processing method according to thepresent embodiment will be introduced.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D are explanatory diagrams illustrating examplesof use cases to which the information processing method according to thepresent embodiment and the other information processing method accordingto the present embodiment can be applied.

Here, FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D illustrate an example in which theinformation processing device 100 playing a role of Central in BLE (anexample of communication in the first communication scheme; the sameapplies below) is an “automobile” and the information processing device200 playing a role of Peripheral in BLE is an “information processingterminal.” Here, in the use cases illustrated in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and8D, for example, a smartphone, an arbitrary wearable device used worn inthe body of a user, such as a watch type device, or the like isexemplified as the information processing device 200.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C illustrate examples of use cases in a case in whichthe information processing device 100 performs the process relating tothe above-described information processing method according to thepresent embodiment. In addition, FIG. 8D illustrates a use case examplein a case in which the information processing device 200 performs theprocess relating to the above-described other information processingmethod according to the present embodiment.

Overviews of the use cases illustrated in A of FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8Dare examples of processes for realizing the use cases will be describedbelow. A case in which a process for realizing each use case isperformed by each device constituting the information processing system1000 illustrated in FIG. 1 will be exemplified below.

Note that it is needless to say that a use case to which the informationprocessing method according to the present embodiment can be applied anda use case to which the information processing method according to thepresent embodiment can be applied are not limited to the use casesdescribed with reference to FIGS. 8A 8B, 8C, and 8D.

[3-1] First Example of Use Case (Use Case Illustrated in FIG. 8A)

First, a use case illustrated in FIG. 8A will be described as a firstexample of a user case.

[3-1-1] Overview of Use Case According to First Example

When an automobile (an example of the information processing device 100;the same applies to the present use case described below) detects aninformation processing terminal (an example of the informationprocessing device 200; the same applies to the present use casedescribed below) that belongs to a specific group such as a family, forexample, the automobile notifies a user thereof of the detection.

The automobile notifies the user of the fact that the informationprocessing terminal has been detected using a visual method of, forexample, turning on hazard lights, headlights, or the like of theautomobile, displaying an image or the like on a display screen of theinformation processing terminal, combining the two operations, or thelike. In addition, the automobile may notify the user of the fact thatthe information processing terminal has been detected using an auditorymethod of, for example, sounding a horn, outputting sound (includingmusic) from an audio output device included in the informationprocessing terminal such as a speaker, combining the two operations, orthe like. The automobile can notify the user of the fact that theinformation processing terminal has been detected using an arbitrarymethod in which the user can be notified of the fact that theinformation processing terminal has been detected, for example, acombined method of a visual method and an auditory method, or the like.

By the automobile giving the above-described notification, the user ofthe information processing terminal can recognize the target automobile.

By performing the above-described process (1) (communicationestablishment process), the automobile authenticates the informationprocessing terminal and then establishes a communication path using BLE.Here, first authentication illustrated in FIG. 8A corresponds toauthentication relating to the first example introduced in (A) describedabove in the above-described process (1) (communication establishmentprocess).

Then, when the automobile performs the above-described process (2)(execution process), the key of a door of the automobile is unlocked.Here, the key of the door of the automobile is unlocked since theautomobile uses data acquired from a secure recording medium included inthe information processing terminal.

[3-1-2] Process Relating to Use Case According to First Example

FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are explanatory diagrams illustrating examples ofprocesses relating to a first use case to which the informationprocessing method according to the present embodiment can be applied.FIG. 9 shows an example of a pre-process performed to realize the usecase according to the first example. In addition, FIG. 10 illustrates anexample of another process relating to the user case according to thefirst example.

First, the pre-process performed for realizing the use case according tothe first example will be described with reference to FIG. 9. Note thatthe pre-process shown in FIG. 9 can also be performed in other use casessuch as a use case according to a second example which will be describedbelow or the like.

The server 300 transmits IDA (an example of identification information;the same applies below) corresponding to the information processingdevice 200 that is a communication target of the information processingdevice 100 using BLE, a passkey used for pairing, and service typeinformation to the information processing device 100 (S100). The server300 performs the process of Step S100 in a case in which, for example, auser of the information processing device 200 or the like registersvarious information in the server 300.

The information processing device 100 that has received variousinformation transmitted from the server 300 in Step S100 records thereceived various information in a recording medium such as a storageunit (which is not illustrated) or the like (S102). Then, theinformation processing device 100 gives a response that the variousinformation transmitted from the server 300 in Step S100 has beenacquired normally to the server 300 (S104). In addition, the informationprocessing device 100 gives a response that an error has occurred inStep S104 in a case in which any error, like abnormal reception of thevarious information transmitted from the server 300 in Step S100,occurs.

The server 300 that has received the response that the variousinformation has been received normally transmitted from the informationprocessing device 100 in Step S104 transmits key information (e.g., aservice storing the key and data indicating a value of the key) and anIDB for accessing the secure recording medium corresponding to theinformation processing device 200 (S106). Here, the IDB is an example ofdata corresponding to key information stored in an area of the securerecording medium.

In addition, the server 300 that has received the response that an errorhad occurred transmitted from the information processing device 100 inStep S104, for example, performs the processes from Step S100.

The information processing device 100 that has received variousinformation transmitted from the server 300 in Step S106 records thereceived various information in a recording medium such as a storageunit (which is not illustrated) or the like (S108). Then, theinformation processing device 100 gives a response that the variousinformation transmitted from the server 300 in Step S106 has beenacquired normally to the server 300 (S1010). In addition, theinformation processing device 100 gives a response that an error hasoccurred in Step S110 in a case in which any error, like abnormalreception of the various information transmitted from the server 300 inStep S106, occurs.

Since the processes illustrated in FIG. 9 are performed, for example,information to be used for realizing the use case illustrated in FIG. 8Aor the like is stored in the storage unit (which is not illustrated) ofthe information processing device 100.

Note that it is needless to say that a pre-process performed to realizethe use case according to the first example is not limited to theexample illustrated in FIG. 9.

Next, an example of another process relating to the use case accordingto the first example will be described with reference to FIG. 10.

The information processing device 200 reads BTA that is uniqueinformation for access in BLE from a recording medium such as a storageunit (which is not illustrated) (S200). In addition, the informationprocessing device 200 reads IDA from the recording medium such as thestorage unit (which is not illustrated) (S202).

The information processing device 200 transmits a broadcast packetincluding the BTA and the IDA read from the recording medium in StepsS200 and S202 using BLE by broadcast (S204).

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for describing the example of theprocess relating to the first use case to which the informationprocessing method according to the present embodiment can be applied,showing an example of “advertising packet (an example of the broadcastpacket) transmitted by broadcast by the information processing device200. The “BTA” illustrated in FIG. 11 corresponds to the BTA read fromthe recording medium in Step S200. In addition, the “IDA” shown in FIG.11 corresponds to the IDA read from the recording medium in Step S202.

The information processing device 200 periodically or non-periodicallytransmit the broadcast packet illustrated in FIG. 11, for example, inStep S204 using BLE by broadcast. Note that it is needless to say that aconfiguration of the broadcast packet according to the presentembodiment is not limited to the example illustrated in FIG. 11.

The example of the process relating to the use case according to thefirst example will be described referring to FIG. 10 again. Theinformation processing device 100 that has received the broadcast packettransmitted by broadcast in Step S204 authenticates the informationprocessing device 200 using the IDA included in the broadcast packet andthe IDA stored in the recording medium such as the storage unit (whichis not illustrated) (S206). Here, the process of Step S206 correspondsto authentication relating to the first example introduced in (A)described above in the above-described process (1) (communicationestablishment process).

In a case in which the authentication is not completed in Step S206, theinformation processing device 100 does not perform processes from StepS208.

In addition, in a case in which the authentication is completed in StepS206, the information processing device 100 performs a process forpairing of BLE with the information processing device 200 using apasskey corresponding to the IDA stored in the recording medium such asthe storage unit (which is not illustrated) (S208).

When pairing is completed in Step S208, the information processingdevice 100 gives notification of the fact that the process for pairinghas been completed normally using one or both of an image and a sound orthe like (S210).

With pairing completed in Step S208, a communication path based on BLEis established between the information processing device 100 and theinformation processing device 200. In addition, the informationprocessing device 100 and the information processing device 200 performcommunication using the established communication path of BLE.

When pairing is completed in Step S208, the information processingdevice 100 records information relating to pairing in the recordingmedium such as the storage unit (which is not illustrated) (S212).

The information processing device 100 transmits a polling command of NFC(an example of communication in the second communication scheme; thesame applies below) using the established communication path of BLE(S214).

The information processing device 200 that has received the pollingcommand transmitted from the information processing device 100 in StepS214 gives a response corresponding to the polling command (S216).

The information processing device 100 that has received the responsetransmitted from the information processing device 200 in Step S216checks whether a service corresponding to the IDB stored in therecording medium such as the storage unit (which is not illustrated) hasbeen registered in the information processing device 200 (S218). In StepS218, the information processing device 100 transmits, for example, theIDB and a service checking request including an instruction to causewhether or not the service corresponding to the IDB has been registeredto be determined.

The information processing device 200 that has received the servicechecking request transmitted from the information processing device 100in Step S218 gives a response indicating a processing result of theservice checking request (S220).

In a case in which the response transmitted from the informationprocessing device 200 in Step S220 does not indicate that the servicecorresponding to the IDB has been registered, the information processingdevice 100 does not perform processes from Step S222, for example.

In addition, in a case in which the response transmitted from theinformation processing device 200 in Step S220 indicates that theservice corresponding to the IDB has been registered, the informationprocessing device 100 reads key information stored in the recordingmedium such as the storage unit (which is not illustrated) (S222). Then,the information processing device 100 performs mutual authentication foraccessing the secure recording medium included in the informationprocessing device 200 using the key information (S224).

When the mutual authentication is completed in Step S224, theinformation processing device 100 transmits a data transmission requestincluding a data transmission instruction, the data being stored in asecure area of the secure recording medium (S226). Here, the datatransmission request of Step S226 corresponds to a data transmissionrequest for causing information to be used in a process of NFC (anexample of information to be used in a process to be performed incommunication in the second communication scheme) to be transmitted.

The information processing device 200 that has received the datatransmission request transmitted from the information processing device100 in Step S226 reads data corresponding to the data transmissionrequest from the secure recording medium and transmits the data to theinformation processing device 100 (S228).

The information processing device 100 that has received the datatransmitted from the information processing device 200 in Step S228determines whether or not the received data is desired data, andprocesses the received data in a case in which the received data isdesired data (S230). By performing the process of Step S230, unlockingof the key of the door of the automobile illustrated with reference toFIG. 8A or the like is realized.

Here, the data transmitted from the information processing device 200 inStep S228 corresponds to information to be used in a process of NFC.Thus, the process of Step S230 corresponds to an example of a processusing the information to be used in a process of NFC, i.e., a processperformed using the information to be used in a process to be performedin communication in the second communication scheme. That is, theprocess of Step S230 corresponds to an example of the above-describedprocess (2) (execution process).

In addition, in a case in which the received data is not desired data,the information processing device 100 does not process the received dataand ends the process performed with the information processing device200.

When the process performed with the information processing device 200using the information to be used in a process of NFC ends, theinformation processing device 100 transmits a communication end requestincluding an instruction to terminate communication based on BLE (S232).

The information processing device 200 that has received thecommunication end request from the information processing device 100 inStep S232 gives a response that communication based on BLE will be ended(S234).

The information processing device 100 that has received the responsetransmitted from the information processing device 200 in Step S216deletes the information relating to pairing recorded in the recordingmedium in Step S212 from the recording medium (S236).

By performing the process illustrated in FIG. 10, for example, the usecase according to the first example illustrated in FIG. 8A is realized.

Note that an example of a process that enables the use case according tothe first example to be realized is not limited to the exampleillustrated in FIG. 10.

In a case in which the information processing device 200 moves out of acommunicable range of BLE or the like and thus communication with theinformation processing device 200 based on BLE is not possible after theinformation processing device 100 receives the response in Step S220 ofFIG. 10, for example, the information processing device 100 invalidatesthe authentication results obtained from authentication of theinformation processing device 200 in the process of Step S206, theprocess of Step S224, or the like. With the invalidated authenticationresult, if communication with the information processing device 100based on BLE is not established again, the information processing device200 is not possible to perform communication with the informationprocessing device 100 based on BLE.

In addition, in the case in which the data transmitted in Step S228 ofFIG. 10 is received, the information processing device 100 can alsocause data to be written in, for example, another area or the like ofthe secure recording medium included in the information processingdevice 200.

As the data to be written by the information processing device 100 inanother area or the like of the secure recording medium, for example,various kinds of data that corresponds to a reward for the datatransmitted in Step S228 such as data indicating a coupon, data foradding an electronic value, and the like are exemplified. Note that itis needless to say that data to be written by the information processingdevice 100 in another area or the like of the secure recording medium isnot limited to the data corresponding to a reward for the datatransmitted in Step S228.

In addition, even in a case in which either or both of a plurality ofinformation processing devices 100 playing a role of Central in BLE anda plurality of information processing devices 200 100 playing a role ofPeripheral in BLE are present, for example, one information processingdevice 100 and one information processing device 200 can perform asimilar process (including a process according to a modified example) tothat of FIG. 10 therebetween. Furthermore, in a case in which aplurality of information processing devices 200 are present as describedabove, the information processing device 100 can also change a processto be executed on the basis of a combination of information to be usedin a process to be performed in communication in the secondcommunication scheme acquired from each of the plurality of informationprocessing devices 200 (communication target devices).

[3-2] Second Example of Use Case (Use Case Illustrated in FIG. 8B)

Next, a use case illustrated in FIG. 8B will be described as a secondexample of the use case.

[3-2-1] Overview of Use Case According to Second Example

An automobile (an example of the information processing device 100; thesame applies to the present use case below) performs the above-describedprocess (1) (communication establishment process) when, for example, aninformation processing terminal (am example of the informationprocessing device 200; the same applies to the present use case below),authenticates the information processing terminal by determining aservice supported by the information processing terminal, and thenestablishes a communication path based on BLE. Here, firstauthentication illustrated in FIG. 8B corresponds to the second exampleintroduced in (B) described above in the above-described process (1)(communication establishment process).

As an example, in a case in which a car sharing service is provided withthe automobile and the information processing terminal supports both acar sharing registration service and a payment service, for example, theautomobile establishes a communication path based on BLE.

Then, in a case in which the service supported by the informationprocessing terminal corresponds to a service provided by the automobile(e.g., a case in which a service provided by the automobile isregistered in the information processing terminal or the like), theautomobile performs the above-described process (2) (execution process)to unlock the key of a door of the automobile.

Here, the automobile unlocks the key of the door using data acquiredfrom the secure recording medium included in the information processingterminal. In addition, in the above-described process (2) (executionprocess), the automobile performs a payment process using the dataacquired from the secure recording medium included in the informationprocessing terminal, and in a case in which the payment process iscompleted normally, the key of the door of the automobile may beunlocked.

Furthermore, in a case in which the service supported by the informationprocessing terminal does not correspond to the service provided with theautomobile (e.g., a case in which the service provided with theautomobile is not registered in the information processing terminal orthe like), the automobile does not unlock the key of the door of theautomobile.

[3-2-2] Process Relating to Use Case According to Second Example

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a processrelating to a second use case to which the information processing methodaccording to the present embodiment can be applied.

The information processing device 200 reads BTA that is uniqueinformation for access in BLE from a recording medium such as a storageunit (which is not illustrated) (S300). In addition, the informationprocessing device 200 reads service type information from the recordingmedium such as the storage unit (which is not illustrated) (S302).

The information processing device 200 transmits a broadcast packetincluding the BTA and the service type information read from therecording medium in Steps S300 and S302 using BLE by broadcast (S304).

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for describing the example of theprocess relating to the second use case to which the informationprocessing method according to the present embodiment can be applied,showing an example of “advertising packet (an example of the broadcastpacket) transmitted by broadcast by the information processing device200. The “BTA” illustrated in FIG. 13 corresponds to the BTA read fromthe recording medium in Step S300. In addition, the “service typeinformation” shown in FIG. 13 corresponds to the service typeinformation read from the recording medium in Step S302.

The information processing device 200 periodically or non-periodicallytransmit the broadcast packet illustrated in FIG. 13, for example, inStep S304 using BLE by broadcast. Note that it is needless to say that aconfiguration of the broadcast packet according to the presentembodiment is not limited to the example illustrated in FIG. 13.

The example of the process relating to the use case according to thesecond example will be described referring to FIG. 12 again. Theinformation processing device 100 that has received the broadcast packettransmitted by broadcast in Step S304 authenticates the informationprocessing device 200 using the service type information included in thebroadcast packet and the service type information stored in therecording medium such as the storage unit (which is not illustrated)(S306). Here, the process of Step S206 corresponds to authenticationrelating to the second example introduced in (B) described above in theabove-described process (1) (communication establishment process).

In a case in which the service indicated by the acquired service typeinformation coincides with the service indicated by the service typeinformation stored in the recording medium, for example, the informationprocessing unit 100 determines that the information processing device200 has been authenticated. In addition, in a case in which the acquiredservice type information indicates a plurality of services and some ofthe services coincide with the service, the information processing unit100 can determine that the information processing device 200 has beenauthenticated as well.

In a case in which the authentication is not completed in Step S306, theinformation processing device 100 does not perform processes from StepS308.

In addition, in a case in which the authentication is completed in StepS306, the information processing device 100 performs a process forpairing of BLE with the information processing device 200 using apasskey corresponding to the information processing device 200 stored inthe recording medium such as the storage unit (which is not illustrated)(S208).

When pairing is completed in Step S308, the information processingdevice 100 gives notification of the fact that the process for pairinghas been completed normally using one or both of an image and a sound orthe like (S310).

With pairing completed in Step S308, a communication path based on BLEis established between the information processing device 100 and theinformation processing device 200. In addition, the informationprocessing device 100 and the information processing device 200 performcommunication using the established communication path of BLE.

When pairing is completed in Step S308, the information processingdevice 100 records information relating to pairing in the recordingmedium such as the storage unit (which is not illustrated) (S312).

The information processing device 100 transmits a polling command of NFC(an example of communication in the second communication scheme; thesame applies below) using the established communication path of BLE(S314).

The information processing device 200 that has received the pollingcommand transmitted from the information processing device 100 in StepS314 gives a response corresponding to the polling command (S316).

The information processing device 100 that has received the responsetransmitted from the information processing device 200 in Step S316reads key information stored in the recording medium such as the storageunit (not illustrated) (S318). Then, the information processing device100 performs mutual authentication for accessing the secure recordingmedium included in the information processing device 200 using the keyinformation (S320).

When the mutual authentication is completed in Step S320, theinformation processing device 100 transmits a data transmission requestincluding a data transmission instruction, the data being stored in asecure area of the secure recording medium (S322). Here, the datatransmission request of Step S322 corresponds to a data transmissionrequest for causing information to be used in a process of NFC (anexample of information to be used in a process to be performed incommunication in the second communication scheme) to be transmitted.

The information processing device 200 that has received the datatransmission request transmitted from the information processing device100 in Step S322 reads data corresponding to the data transmissionrequest from the secure recording medium and transmits the data to theinformation processing device 100 (S324).

The information processing device 100 that has received the datatransmitted from the information processing device 200 in Step S324determines whether or not the received data is desired data, andprocesses the received data in a case in which the received data isdesired data (S326). By performing the process of Step S326, unlockingof the key of the door of the automobile illustrated with reference toFIG. 8B or the like is realized.

Here, the data transmitted from the information processing device 200 inStep S324 corresponds to information to be used in a process of NFC.Thus, the process of Step S326 corresponds to an example of a processusing the information to be used in a process of NFC, i.e., a processperformed using the information to be used in a process to be performedin communication in the second communication scheme. That is, theprocess of Step S326 corresponds to an example of the above-describedprocess (2) (execution process).

In addition, in a case in which the received data is not desired data,the information processing device 100 does not process the received dataand ends the process performed with the information processing device200.

When the process performed with the information processing device 200using the information to be used in a process of NFC ends, theinformation processing device 100 transmits a communication end requestincluding an instruction to terminate communication based on BLE (S328).

The information processing device 200 that has received thecommunication end request from the information processing device 100 inStep S238 gives a response that communication based on BLE will be ended(S330).

The information processing device 100 that has received the responsetransmitted from the information processing device 200 in Step S330deletes the information relating to pairing recorded in the recordingmedium in Step S312 from the recording medium (S332).

By performing the process illustrated in FIG. 12, for example, the usecase according to the second example illustrated in FIG. 8B is realized.

Note that an example of a process that enables the use case according tothe second example to be realized is not limited to the exampleillustrated in FIG. 12.

In a case in which the information processing device 200 moves out of acommunicable range of BLE or the like and thus communication with theinformation processing device 200 based on BLE is not possible after theinformation processing device 100 performs authentication based onservice type information in Step S306 of FIG. 12, for example, theinformation processing device 100 invalidates the authentication resultsobtained from authentication of the information processing device 200 inthe process of Step S306, the process of Step S320, or the like.

In addition, in the case in which the data transmitted in Step S324 ofFIG. 12 is received, the information processing device 100 can alsocause data to be written in, for example, another area or the like ofthe secure recording medium included in the information processingdevice 200.

As the data to be written by the information processing device 100 inanother area or the like of the secure recording medium, for example,various kinds of data that corresponds to a reward for the datatransmitted in Step S324 such as data indicating a coupon, data foradding an electronic value, and the like are exemplified. Note that itis needless to say that data to be written by the information processingdevice 100 in another area or the like of the secure recording medium isnot limited to the data corresponding to a reward for the datatransmitted in Step S324.

In addition, even in a case in which either or both of a plurality ofinformation processing devices 100 playing a role of Central in BLE anda plurality of information processing devices 200 100 playing a role ofPeripheral in BLE are present, for example, one information processingdevice 100 and one information processing device 200 can perform asimilar process (including a process according to a modified example) tothat of FIG. 13 therebetween.

[3-2] Third Example of Use Case (Use Case Illustrated in FIG. 8C)

Next, a use case illustrated in FIG. 8C will be described as a thirdexample of the use case.

[3-3-1] Overview of Use Case According to Third Example

In a case in which the process relating to the use case according to thefirst example introduced in [3-1] described above or the processrelating to the use case according to the second example introduced in[3-2] described above is performed, for example, the key of a door of anautomobile (an example of the information processing device 100; thesame applies to the present use case below) is unlocked when aninformation processing terminal (an example of the informationprocessing device 200; the same applies to the present use case below)enters the communicable range of BLE and thus the information processingterminal is detected as described above.

However, it is assumed that there is need that “adjustment for anindividual, for example, adjustment of a position of a seat, adjustmentof a position of a mirror, or the like, be performed when a userapproaches an automobile closer or a predetermined action of a user isdetected, even though a door of the automobile can be unlocked from adistance.”

Thus, when BLE (an example of communication in the first communicationscheme) with the information processing terminal is established, theautomobile performs a process relating to adjustment for an individualon the basis of one or both of a determination result of a state ofcommunication with the information processing terminal based on BLE anda determination result of a predetermine action performed by a user ofthe information processing terminal. Here, the “process based on adetermination result of a state of communication with the informationprocessing terminal based on BLE and a determination result of apredetermine action performed by a user of the information processingterminal” corresponds to “the execution process relating to the firstexample introduced in (a) described above”, “the execution processrelating to the second example introduced in (b) described above,” or “acombined process of the execution process relating to the first exampleintroduced in (a) described above and the execution process relating tothe second example introduced in (b) described above.”

[3-3-2] Process Relating to Use Case According to Third Example

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a processrelating to a third use case to which the information processing methodaccording to the present embodiment can be applied. FIG. 14 illustratesthe example of the process of the information processing device 100 in acase in which communication in the first communication scheme is BLE. Inaddition, FIG. 14 illustrates the example of the process after BLE witha communication target device such as the information processing device200 is established.

The information processing device 100 determines whether or not thereare access and authentication with respect to a secure area of thesecure recording medium of the information processing device 200 (S400).The information processing device 100 determines that there are accessand authentication with respect to the secure area in a case in which,for example, such processes as Steps S224 and S226 of FIG. 10 areperformed.

In a case in which it is determined that there are not access andauthentication with respect to the secure area in Step S400, theinformation processing device 100 ends the process illustrated in FIG.14.

In addition, in a case in which it is determined that there are accessand authentication with respect to the secure area in Step S400, theinformation processing device 100 acquires communication strength of BLE(S402). The information processing device 100 acquires communicationstrength of BLE by measuring signal strength of a signal transmittedfrom the communication target device in BLE using, for example, an RSSIincluded in the information processing device 100, an external RSSIconnected to the information processing device 100, or the like.

The information processing device 100 determines whether or not theacquired communication strength is greater than a predeterminedthreshold value (S404). Here, as the threshold value of Step S404, forexample, a “fixed threshold value set in advance,” a “variable thresholdvalue that can be adjusted on the basis of a user operation or thelike,” or a “threshold value dynamically set using an algorithm fordynamically changing the threshold value on the basis of a measurementresult of a pattern of the communication strength” is exemplified asdescribed above.

In a case in which it is determined that the acquired communicationstrength is not greater than the predetermined threshold value in StepS404, the information processing device 100 ends the process illustratedin FIG. 14.

In addition, in a case in which it is determined that the acquiredcommunication strength is greater than the predetermined threshold valuein Step S404, the information processing device 100 executesauthentication and access with respect to the secure area of the securerecording medium of the information processing device 200 (S406). Theinformation processing device 100 performs the processes of, forexample, Steps S224 and S226 of FIG. 10 in Step S406. Then, when datastored in the secure recording medium is acquired from the communicationtarget device, the information processing device 100 performs, forexample a similar process to that of Step S230 of FIG. 10, and performsa process using the data acquired from the communication target device.

In the case in which it is determined that the communication strength isgreater than the predetermined threshold value, by performing theprocess illustrated in FIG. 14, for example, the information processingdevice 100 performs a process using the data stored in the securerecording medium acquired from the communication target device. Thus, byperforming the process illustrated in FIG. 14, for example, the use caseaccording to the third example illustrated FIG. 8C is realized.

Note that an example of a process for realizing the use case accordingto the third example is not limited to the example illustrated in FIG.14.

For example, the information processing device 100 can perform a processin which the communication strength indicated in Steps S402 and S404 ofFIG. 14 is replaced with a communication distance.

In addition, the information processing device 100 can also perform aprocess using the data stored in the secure recording medium acquiredfrom the communication target device on the basis of a determinationresult of a predetermined action performed by the user of thecommunication target device, for example, instead of the processes ofSteps S402 and S404 of FIG. 14. In the case in which the user of thecommunication target device is determined to have performed thepredetermined action, for example, the information processing device 100performs the process using the data stored in the secure recordingmedium acquired from the communication target device.

[3-4] Fourth Example of Use Case (Use Case Illustrated in FIG. 8D)

Next, as a fourth example of the use case, a use case illustrated inFIG. 8D will be described. The use case illustrated in FIG. 8D is anexample of the use case in which the information processing device 200performs the process relating to the other information processing methodaccording to the present embodiment as described above.

[3-4-1] Overview of Use Case According to Fourth Example

For example, when an automobile (an example of the informationprocessing device 100; the same applies to the present use case below)performs the above-described process (1) (communication establishmentprocess) according to the information processing method according to thepresent embodiment, the automobile and an information processingterminal (an example of the information processing device 200; the sameapplies to the present use case below) establish BLE (an example ofcommunication in the first communication scheme). In addition, theautomobile and the information processing terminal can establish BLEusing an arbitrary establishment method, for example, an establishmentmethod based on a predetermined user operation such as an operation of auser for pairing, or the like.

However, it is assumed that there is need that “the automobile not beallowed to access data stored in a storage unit (which is notillustrated) of the information processing terminal or the like even ina case in which the information processing terminal is within acommunicable range of BLE with the automobile after communication basedon BLE is established.”

Thus, when BLE (an example of communication in the first communicationscheme) with the automobile is established, the information processingterminal blocks access from the automobile on the basis of one or bothof a determination result of a state of communication of BLE with theautomobile and a determination result of a predetermined actionperformed by a user of the information processing terminal. Here, theabove-described “process based on one or both of a determination resultof a state of communication of BLE with the automobile and adetermination result of a predetermined action performed by a user ofthe information processing terminal” corresponds to any process of theprocess introduced in (i) described above to the process introduced in(iii) described above.

[3-4-2] Process Relating to Use Case According to Fourth Example

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a processrelating to a fourth use case to which another information processingmethod according to the present embodiment can be applied. FIG. 15illustrates the example of the process of the information processingdevice 200 in a case in which communication in the first communicationscheme is BLE. In addition, FIG. 15 illustrates the example of theprocess after BLE with a communication target device such as theinformation processing device 100 is established.

The information processing device 200 determines whether or not thereare access and authentication with respect to a secure area of a securerecording medium thereof (S500). In a case in which such a datatransmission request as shown in Step S226 of FIG. 10 is acquired, forexample, the information processing device 200 determines that there areaccess and authentication with respect to the secure area.

In a case in which it is determined that there are not access andauthentication with respect to the secure area in Step S500, theinformation processing device 100 ends the process illustrated in FIG.15.

In addition, in a case in which it is determined that there are accessand authentication with respect to the secure area in Step S500, theinformation processing device 200 acquires communication strength of BLE(S502). The information processing device 200 acquires communicationstrength of BLE by measuring signal strength of a signal transmittedfrom the communication target device in BLE using, for example, an RSSIincluded in the information processing device 100, an external RSSIconnected to the information processing device 200, or the like.

The information processing device 200 determines whether or not theacquired communication strength is greater than a predeterminedthreshold value (S504). Here, as the threshold value of Step S504, forexample, a “fixed threshold value set in advance,” a “variable thresholdvalue that can be adjusted on the basis of a user operation or thelike,” or a “threshold value dynamically set using an algorithm fordynamically changing the threshold value on the basis of a measurementresult of a pattern of the communication strength” is exemplified asdescribed above.

In a case in which it is determined that the acquired communicationstrength is not greater than the predetermined threshold value in StepS504, the information processing device 200 ends the process illustratedin FIG. 15.

In addition, in a case in which it is determined that the acquiredcommunication strength is greater than the predetermined threshold valuein Step S504, the information processing device 200 executesauthentication and access with respect to the secure area of the securerecording medium (S506). Then, the information processing device 200transmits data read from the secure recording medium as in Step S228 ofFIG. 10, for example, to the communication target device.

By performing the process illustrated in FIG. 15, for example, in thecase in which it is determined that the communication strength isgreater than the predetermined threshold value, the informationprocessing device 200 performs a process on the basis of a request suchas a data transmission request acquired from the communication targetdevice. Thus, the use case according to the fourth example asillustrated in FIG. 8D is realized by performing, for example, theprocess illustrated in FIG. 15.

Note that an example of a process that enables the use case according tothe fourth example to be realized is not limited to the exampleillustrated in FIG. 15.

For example, the information processing device 200 can perform a processin which the communication strength indicated in Steps S502 and S504 ofFIG. 15 is replaced with a communication distance.

In addition, the information processing device 200 can also selectivelyperform the process based on the request such as the data transmissionrequest acquired from the communication target device on the basis of adetermination result of a predetermined action performed by a user ofthe information processing device 200, for example, instead of theprocesses of Steps S502 and S504 of FIG. 15. In a case in which the userof the information processing device 200 is determined to have performedthe predetermined action, for example, the information processing device200 does not perform the process based on the request such as the datatransmission request acquired from the communication target device.

As use cases to which the information processing method according to thepresent embodiment described above and the other information processingmethod according to the present embodiment described above can beapplied, for example, the use case according to the first exampleintroduced in [3-1] described above to the use case according to thefourth example introduced in [3-4] described above are exemplified.

Note that use cases to which the information processing method accordingto the present embodiment described above and the other informationprocessing method according to the present embodiment described abovecan be applied are not limited to the use case according to the firstexample introduced in [3-1] described above to the use case according tothe fourth example introduced in [3-4] described above.

For example, as use cases to which the information processing methodaccording to the present embodiment described above and the otherinformation processing method according to the present embodimentdescribed above can be applied, various use cases, for example, usecases described below, and the like, are exemplified.

-   -   Examination of tickets at public transportation stations (in        this use case, for example, a ticket gate, a server connected        thereto, or the like corresponds to the information processing        device 100, and a device carried by a user such as a smartphone        or a wearable device corresponds to the information processing        device 200)    -   Purchasing at stores (in this use case, for example, a        point-of-sale (POS) device installed at a store, a server        connected thereto, or the like corresponds to the information        processing device 100, and a device carried by a user such as a        smartphone or a wearable device corresponds to the information        processing device 200)    -   Entry control (in this use case, for example, a device provided        at a gate, a server connected thereto, or the like corresponds        to the information processing device 100, and a device carried        by a user such as a smartphone or a wearable device corresponds        to the information processing device 200)    -   Access control to computer (in this use case, for example, a        computer that is subject to access control, a server connected        thereto, or the like corresponds to the information processing        device 100, and a device carried by a user such as a smartphone        or a wearable device corresponds to the information processing        device 200)

Program According to Present Embodiment [I] Program Relating toInformation Processing Method According to Present Embodiment

With a program for causing a computer to function as the informationprocessing device 100 according to the present embodiment (or a modifiedexample of the information processing device 100) (e.g., a program thatcan execute a process relating to the information processing methodaccording to the present embodiment, such as “the above-describedprocess (1) (communication establishment process),” “the above-describedprocess (1) (communication establishment process) and theabove-described process (2) (execution process)”), or the like executedby a processor or the like of the computer, a communication targetdevice can be authenticated using a combination of differentcommunication scheme and communication with the communication targetdevice in one communication scheme can be established.

In addition, with the program for causing a computer to function as theinformation processing device 100 according to the present embodiment(or a modified example of the information processing device 100)executed by a processor of the computer or the like, the effectsexhibited through the process relating to the information processingmethod according to the present embodiment described above can beexhibited.

[II] Program Relating to the Other Information Processing MethodAccording to the Present Embodiment

With a program for causing a computer to function as the informationprocessing device 200 according to the present embodiment (or a modifiedexample of the information processing device 200) (e.g., a program thatcan execute the process relating to the other information processingmethod according to the present embodiment such as “the above-describedprocess (I) (execution control process)) executed by a processor of thecomputer or the like, access from a communication target device such asthe information processing device 100 playing a role of Central can beblocked, for example, even after pairing.

In addition, by a processor or the like executing the program forcausing a computer to function as the information processing device 200according to the present embodiment (or a modified example of theinformation processing device 200) using in the computer, the effectsobtained by performing the process relating to another informationprocessing method according to the above-described present embodimentcan be exhibited.

The preferred embodiment(s) of the present disclosure has/have beendescribed above with reference to the accompanying drawings, whilst thepresent disclosure is not limited to the above examples. A personskilled in the art may find various alterations and modifications withinthe scope of the appended claims, and it should be understood that theywill naturally come under the technical scope of the present disclosure.

Although the provision of the program (a computer program) for causing acomputer to function as the information processing device 100 accordingto the present embodiment (or a modified example of the informationprocessing device 100) has been introduced above, for example, arecording medium having the above-described program stored therein canalso be provide together in the present embodiment.

In addition, although the provision of the program (a computer program)for causing a computer to function as the information processing device200 according to the present embodiment (or a modified example of theinformation processing device 200) has been introduced above, arecording medium having the above-described program stored therein canalso be provide together in the present embodiment.

The above-described configuration shows an example of the presentembodiment and of course belongs to the technical scope of the presentdisclosure.

Further, the effects described in this specification are merelyillustrative or exemplified effects, and are not limitative. That is,with or in the place of the above effects, the technology according tothe present disclosure may achieve other effects that are clear to thoseskilled in the art from the description of this specification.

Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below.

(1)

An information processing device including:

a processing unit configured to authenticate a communication targetdevice on a basis of predetermined information transmitted from thecommunication target device by broadcast in communication in a firstcommunication scheme, the predetermined information being used in aprocess to be performed in communication in a second communicationscheme that is different from the first communication scheme, andestablish the communication with the communication target device in thefirst communication scheme in a case in which authentication iscompleted.

(2)

The information processing device according to (1),

in which the predetermined information is identification informationindicating a device, and

the processing unit authenticates the communication target device on abasis of the identification information.

(3)

The information processing device according to (1) or (2),

in which the predetermined information is service type informationindicating a service, and

the processing unit authenticates the communication target device on abasis of the service type information.

(4)

The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (3),

in which, when the communication with the communication target device inthe first communication scheme is established,

the processing unit performs a process using information to be used inthe process to be performed in the communication in the secondcommunication scheme through the communication established with thecommunication target device in the first communication scheme.

(5)

The information processing device according to (4),

in which the processing unit

determines a state of the communication with the communication targetdevice in the first communication scheme,

acquires information stored in a secure recording medium from thecommunication target device as the information to be used on a basis ofa determination result, and

performs a process using the acquired information stored in the securerecording medium.

(6)

The information processing device according to (5),

in which the state of the communication in the first communicationscheme is communication strength of the communication in the firstcommunication scheme, and

the processing unit acquires the information stored in the securerecording medium from the communication target device in a case in whichthe communication strength has a value greater than a predeterminedthreshold value or a case in which the communication strength has avalue greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold value.

(7)

The information processing device according to (5) or (6),

in which the state of the communication in the first communicationscheme is a communication distance of the communication in the firstcommunication scheme, and

the processing unit acquires the information stored in the securerecording medium from the communication target device in a case in whichthe communication distance has a value smaller than a predeterminedthreshold value or a case in which the communication distance has avalue equal to or smaller than the predetermined threshold value.

(8)

The information processing device according to any one of (4) to (7),

in which the processing unit determines a predetermined action performedby a user of the communication target device,

acquires information stored in a secure recording medium from thecommunication target device as the information to be used on a basis ofa determination result, and

performs a process using the acquired information stored in the securerecording medium.

(9)

The information processing device according to any one of (4) to (8),

in which, in a case in which a plurality of communication target devicesthat have established the communication in the first communicationscheme are present,

the processing unit performs a process using information to be used inthe process to be performed in the communication in the secondcommunication scheme through the communication established with each ofthe plurality of communication target devices in the first communicationscheme

(10)

The information processing device according to (9), in which theprocessing unit changes a process to be executed on a basis of acombination of the information to be used acquired from each of theplurality of communication target devices.

(11)

The information processing device according to any one of (1) to (10),in which the communication in the second communication scheme has ashorter communicable distance than the communication in the firstcommunication scheme.

(12)

An information processing method executed by an information processingdevice, the information processing method including:

a step of authenticating a communication target device on a basis ofpredetermined information transmitted from the communication targetdevice by broadcast in communication in a first communication scheme,the predetermined information being used in a process to be performed incommunication in a second communication scheme that is different fromthe first communication scheme, and establishing the communication withthe communication target device in the first communication scheme in acase in which authentication is completed.

(13)

A program for causing a computer to realize a function of authenticatinga communication target device on a basis of predetermined informationtransmitted from the communication target device by broadcast incommunication in a first communication scheme, the predeterminedinformation being used in a process to be performed in communication ina second communication scheme that is different from the firstcommunication scheme, and establishing the communication with thecommunication target device in the first communication scheme in a casein which authentication is completed.

(14)

An information processing device including:

a processing unit configured to determine a state of communication witha communication target device when communication with the communicationtarget device is established and not to perform a process based on arequest transmitted from the communication target device on a basis of adetermination result.

(15)

The information processing device according to (14),

in which the state of the communication is communication strength of thecommunication, and

the processing unit does not perform the process based on the requesttransmitted from the communication target device in a case in which thecommunication strength has a value smaller than a predetermined value orin a case in which the communication strength has a value equal to orsmaller than the predetermined threshold value.

(16)

The information processing device according to (14) or (15),

in which the state of the communication is a communication distance ofthe communication, and

the processing unit does not perform the process based on the requesttransmitted from the communication target device in a case in which thecommunication distance has a value greater than a predeterminedthreshold value or in a case in which the communication distance has avalue greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold value.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   100, 200 information processing device-   102, 202 first communication unit-   104, 204 second communication unit-   106, 206 control unit-   110, 210 processing unit

The invention claimed is:
 1. An information processing device,comprising: a processing unit configured to: receive, via broadcast,first information from a communication target device in a firstcommunication scheme; authenticate the communication target device basedon the first information; establish communication with the communicationtarget device in the first communication scheme, wherein thecommunication with the communication target device is established basedon the authentication of the communication target device; execute afirst process in a second communication scheme, wherein the firstprocess is executed based on the first information and the establishmentof the communication with the communication target device, and thesecond communication scheme is different from the first communicationscheme; determine a state of the communication with the communicationtarget device in the first communication scheme; acquire secondinformation from the communication target device based on the determinedstate; and execute a second process based on the second information andthe establishment of the communication with the communication targetdevice.
 2. The information processing device according to claim 1,wherein the first information is identification information indicating aspecific device associated with the communication target device, and theprocessing unit is further configured to authenticate the communicationtarget device based on the identification information.
 3. Theinformation processing device according to claim 1, wherein the firstinformation is service type information indicating a specific service,and the processing unit is further configured to authenticate thecommunication target device based on the service type information. 4.The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein thestate of the communication in the first communication scheme is acommunication strength of the communication in the first communicationscheme, the processing unit is further configured to acquire the secondinformation from the communication target device based on a value of thecommunication strength, and the value of the communication strength isone of greater than or equal to a specific threshold value.
 5. Theinformation processing device according to claim 1, wherein the state ofthe communication in the first communication scheme is a communicationdistance of the communication in the first communication scheme, theprocessing unit is further configured to acquire the second informationfrom the communication target device based on a value of thecommunication distance, and the value of the communication distance isone of smaller than or equal to a specific threshold value.
 6. Theinformation processing device according to claim 1, wherein theprocessing unit is further configured to: determine a specific useraction that corresponds to the communication target device; acquireinformation from the communication target device as the firstinformation based on the determined specific user action; and executethe second process based on the acquired information.
 7. The informationprocessing device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit isfurther configured to: receive the first information from eachcommunication target device of a plurality of communication targetdevices in the first communication scheme, wherein the plurality ofcommunication target devices includes the communication target device;establish the communication with the each communication target device ofthe plurality of communication target devices in the first communicationscheme, wherein the communication is established based on the firstinformation received from the each communication target device of theplurality of communication target devices; and execute the first processin the second communication scheme using based on the first informationreceived from the each communication target device of the plurality ofcommunication target devices.
 8. The information processing deviceaccording to claim 7, wherein the processing unit is further configuredto change the first process based on a combination of the firstinformation received from the each communication target device of theplurality of communication target devices.
 9. The information processingdevice according to claim 1, wherein a first communicable distance ofthe communication in the second communication scheme is less than asecond communicable distance of the communication in the firstcommunication scheme.
 10. An information processing method, comprising:in an information processing device: receiving, via broadcast, firstinformation from a communication target device in a first communicationscheme; authenticating the communication target device based on thefirst information; and establishing communication with the communicationtarget device in the first communication scheme, wherein thecommunication with the communication target device is established basedon the authentication of the communication target device; executing afirst process in a second communication scheme, wherein the firstprocess is executed based on the first information and the establishmentof the communication with the communication target device, and thesecond communication scheme is different from the first communicationscheme; determining a state of the communication with the communicationtarget device in the first communication scheme; acquiring secondinformation from the communication target device based on the determinedstate; and executing a second process based on the second informationand the establishment of the communication with the communication targetdevice.
 11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having storedthereon computer-readable instructions, which when executed by acomputer, cause the computer to execute operations, the operationscomprising: receiving, via broadcast, first information from acommunication target device in a first communication scheme;authenticating the communication target device based on the firstinformation; and establishing communication with the communicationtarget device in the first communication scheme, wherein thecommunication with the communication target device is established basedon the authentication of the communication target device; executing afirst process in a second communication scheme, wherein the firstprocess is executed based on the first information and the establishmentof the communication with the communication target device, and thesecond communication scheme is different from the first communicationscheme; determining a state of the communication with the communicationtarget device in the first communication scheme; acquiring secondinformation from the communication target device based on the determinedstate; and executing a second process based on the second informationand the establishment of the communication with the communication targetdevice.
 12. An information processing device, comprising: a processingunit configured to: establish communication with a communication targetdevice in a first communication scheme; determine a state of thecommunication with the communication target device based on theestablishment of the communication with the communication target device;receive a request from the communication target device based on thedetermined state of the communication; and restrict execution of aprocess in a second communication scheme based on the request from thecommunication target device.
 13. The information processing deviceaccording to claim 12, wherein the state of the communication is acommunication strength of the communication, and the processing unit isfurther configured to restrict the execution of the process based on thecommunication strength that has a value one of equal to or smaller thana specific threshold value.
 14. The information processing deviceaccording to claim 12, wherein the state of the communication is acommunication distance of the communication, and the processing unit isfurther configured to restrict the execution of the process based on thecommunication distance that has a value one of greater than or equal toa specific threshold value.